The three-day summit of Recently expanded BRICS The grouping began on Tuesday, when the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin invited two dozen world leaders to the southwestern Russian city of Kazan.
The summit is the first since the conference. Brix The grouping expands in 2023, and it’s also an opportunity for the Kremlin to demonstrate Russia’s political isolation during that time. Attack on Ukraine Does not extend beyond NATO borders.
Russia’s major international partners viz Chinese leader Xi JinpingPrime Minister of India Minister Narendra Modi And Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is attending the summit, the largest international gathering hosted by Putin since the launch of an all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Putin greeted ‘dear friend’ XI.
Greeting Xi as his “dear friend” upon his arrival on Tuesday morning, Putin told the Chinese premier: “Russian-Chinese cooperation in global affairs would serve as one of the factors of stability on the world stage. is a platform for ensuring global security and a just world order.”
“The world is going through profound changes not seen in a century, and the international situation is chaotic and interconnected,” Xi replied, adding to what he called “deep friendship” between the two countries. Appreciated.
Xi said China and Russia have “continuously deepened and expanded comprehensive strategic coordination and practical cooperation,” while close ties have “created a strong impetus for the development, revitalization and modernization of the two countries.”
The Russia-China partnership, more broadly, seeks to counter what Beijing and Moscow see as a US-dominated world order. China and Russia declared their relationship “no limits” shortly before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
India’s Modi called for a peaceful solution to Ukraine.
Welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin spoke of Moscow’s “strategic ties” with India.
“Russia-India relations have the character of a particularly privileged strategic partnership and continue to develop actively,” Putin told Modi, filmed after the pair shook hands and embraced.
Modi said he wanted peace to return to Ukraine and supported efforts to do so during talks with Putin.
“We are in constant touch on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Modi said, adding: “We believe that conflicts should be resolved only peacefully. We are committed to efforts to restore peace and stability as soon as possible.” Fully support.”
both India And China has provided economic support to Russia since Moscow planned an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa says Russia is a ‘valuable ally’
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he considers Moscow a “valuable ally” during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We continue to see Russia as a valued ally, a valued friend, who has supported us from the beginning: from the days of our struggle against apartheid, until now,” Ramaphosa said. .
South Africa has abstained from UN resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but has called for an end to the conflict.
Putin said Russia’s relations with South Africa are based on “strategic partnership, equality and mutual respect”.
“And of course, Russia attaches great importance to strengthening relations with the countries of the African continent,” Putin added.
Which are BRICS countries?
BRICS is the original acronym for the five countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It is designed as an alternative to a Western-led economic system that looks like the G7 – a group of seven wealthy Western states including the US and Germany.
The BRICS group decided to try to expand its ranks at its 2023 summit.
Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were all invited to join, although Argentine President Javier Meli declined after winning the election, saying he was more pro-Western. Want to take the path.
Yuri Yushakov, Putin’s foreign policy aide, said 36 countries have confirmed participation, and more than 20 will send heads of state. About 20 bilateral meetings with Putin are expected, Ushakov said, and the summit could turn into “the biggest foreign policy event ever” on Russian soil.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press briefing that this year’s summit is “the beginning of BRICS cooperation.”
“China is willing to join hands with other parties to strive for the stable and sustainable development of BRICS cooperation, ushering in a new era for the Global South to gain strength through solidarity and jointly promote global peace and stability.” It will promote development.”
Ukraine criticized the possible presence of the United Nations.
Ahead of the event, Ukraine’s foreign ministry criticized UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his alleged plans to attend the summit, after Russian officials said earlier this month that the UN The head had told Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that he would be in Kazan.
Guterres had declined an invitation to attend a peace summit in Switzerland, but had accepted an invitation to Kazan from “war criminal” Putin, Kiev said.
However, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters on Monday that Guterres’ future travel plans had not yet been decided.
kb,rc/wmr (AFP, AP, DPA, Reuters)