At the opening of the three-day BRICS summit, which, according to the Kremlin's hopes, aims to challenge the West, two dozen world leaders gathered. France 24 emphasized that this meeting is the largest in Russia since the onset of full-scale war.
BRICS is an acronym for the main members of the group: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin expanded the economic union by inviting other partners to the meeting. In particular, Turkey expressed a desire to join the summit, even though it is a NATO member and maintains ties with Moscow. Additionally, as reported by AP, official membership applications were submitted by Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia.
9The Guardian informed that some countries did not appreciate the idea of expanding the BRICS group. In particular, Brazil vetoed Venezuela's membership.
"Many insist on dividing the world into friends and enemies. But the most vulnerable are not interested in simplified dichotomies; what they want is plenty of food, decent jobs, and quality public schools and hospitals," said Brazilian President Lula de Silva via video link.
It is expected that Cuba, Bolivia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Belarus, Turkey, Nigeria, Uganda, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan will also join the economic union.
Among the key issues are a BRICS-led payment system intended to compete with SWIFT, and the escalation in the Middle East. Putin called for the creation of an alternative international payment system that could prevent the U.S. from using the dollar as a political weapon. However, from the final communiqué, it is clear that he made little progress in this regard.
The Kremlin leader reported that nearly 95% of trade between Russia and China occurs in local currencies—rubles and yuan. However, Brazil and India do not share the idea of dedollarizing the global economy, as they do not fully align with an overtly pro-China and anti-Western stance.
Despite criticism from Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also attended the meeting. His press secretary assured that the Western representative would not deviate from any of the positions regarding the war.
In The New York Times, it was reported that Putin informed BRICS members of the beginning of a shift towards a "multipolar world order." He is convinced that an "irreversible process" is already underway.
0Reuters published key points from the Kazan Declaration, issued by the BRICS group after the summit. The countries expressed "serious concern" regarding the deteriorating situation and humanitarian crisis in Palestine. The group accused Israel of the IDF's offensive, claiming it "led to mass killings and injuries of civilians."
The document also mentions the "need to reform the current international financial architecture" for greater inclusivity and fairness. It notes that Russia initiated the creation of a platform for grain trading within BRICS. The countries welcomed the use of local currencies and the benefits of "faster, cheaper, more efficient, transparent, secure, and inclusive cross-border payment instruments." At the same time, BRICS acknowledged the importance of the "continuous and productive functioning of the G20."
In The Hindu, it was reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported trading in local currencies and called for more countries to use the UPI payment interface developed by India.
1Russian media outlet "Lenta.ru" published a photo of Putin holding an unusual banknote. It turned out that the "symbolic note" of BRICS was presented to him during the summit in Kazan. It is not known who from the Russian side prepared it.
The Kremlin stated that the banknote "symbolizes the collaborative work being done within BRICS." However, it is reported that Putin did not appreciate the gift idea, although he smiles in the footage.
2 3According to media reports, Putin believes it is too early to discuss a unified BRICS currency. Meanwhile, local expert Leonid Khazanov assured Russians that it could potentially challenge the dollar in global and regional monetary markets.
4 5The New York Times highlighted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was the only NATO leader to participate in the BRICS summit. He referred to Putin as a "dear friend."
6DW noted that the summit marked the first in-person meeting between Modi and Xi since the tensions that arose in 2020. At that time, 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers died as a result of hand-to-hand combat at the border. Following the incident, both countries reinforced their disputed border with military presence.
"India-China relations are important for the peoples of our countries, as well as for regional and global peace and stability. Mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity will guide our bilateral relations," Modi stated after his meeting with Xi.
"The two sides should strengthen communication and cooperation, properly resolve disagreements, and realize each other's dreams for development," Xi told reporters.
7Modi noted that the BRICS bloc represents "40% of the world's population and about 30% of the economy."
"BRICS has achieved a lot over the past two decades. I am confident that in the near future, this organization will become a more effective tool in countering global challenges," he added.
In China Daily, it was reported that Xi had an "in-depth exchange of information" with world leaders during the summit. He stated that BRICS members should act as "guardians of common security." China also promised to establish 10 overseas training centers in the member countries.
Xi assured that the "deep friendship" between China and Russia will not change, and the responsibility of both countries is to "benefit the world." He advocated strengthening ties with Russia, promoting a "correct view of the history of World War II," and firmly supporting an international system oriented towards the UN.
8"We must adhere to three key principles: no expansion of battlefields, no escalation of hostilities, no stoking of fires, and strive for rapid de-escalation of the situation," Xi said regarding the war in Ukraine, as reported by Jakarta Globe.
The Washington Post noted that the war in Ukraine received little attention at the BRICS summit, but it still "loomed" over the event.
In the Kazan Declaration, which spanned 43 pages, Ukraine was mentioned only once. The group members were "cautious and cool" in their calls for peace. Only Brazil stood out, directly criticizing the Russian Armed Forces' invasion as "unacceptable."
"We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war," Modi also stated.
9The countries supported a six-point peace plan calling for de-escalation, mutual humanitarian aid, a peace conference involving both Russia and Ukraine, and a ban on weapons of mass destruction.
Members of the Brazilian delegation, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that their government is concerned about the escalation in Ukraine and the potential transformation of the conflict into a global war. However, one official noted that changing the balance on the battlefield is currently impossible, and there is "great fatigue." He predicted shifts after the U.S. presidential elections.
"A call for Russia to withdraw completely, pay reparations, and send Russian officials to the International Criminal Court—it's hard to believe that the Russians would accept any of this," added an unnamed delegation member.
The Guardian noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already rejected Brazil's alternative to his own peace plan. He is convinced that this would only give the Kremlin political space to continue the war.
Modi was described in the publication as "the most straightforward of world leaders," as he openly advocated for peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussed the war with Putin during a private meeting.
It is known that the Kremlin leader made a categorical statement regarding the temporarily occupied territories. Moscow does not intend to relinquish four eastern regions that it considers part of Russia. Most likely, this refers to the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, which the Kremlin has already incorporated into its territories.
0Professor Li Haidong from the China Foreign Affairs University stated in a comment to Global Times that BRICS countries play a key role in connecting and facilitating solutions to current security crises.
Countries of the Global South have framed Western partnerships, particularly military assistance, as exacerbating tensions. At the same time, they