The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 23 October that Russia will likely use the BRICS summit to showcase its efforts at enhancing global ties with non-Western states.
The three-day summit, from 22 October to 24, has drawn high-profile attendees, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and representatives from India, South Africa, and Iran. The BRICS reportedly aims to foster cooperation among emerging markets and challenge Western-dominated institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also arrived in Kazan, Russia, for an unannounced visit to attend the summit after declining an invitation to the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.
During bilateral talks, Putin and Xi emphasized the significance of Russia-China relations, with Xi specifically highlighting "BRICS as a format for global strategic cooperation," the ISW notes.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation carries particular significance, as India reports successfully extracting 85 citizens who had been involuntarily enlisted in the Russian military for combat in Ukraine.
"The earliest possible" peaceful resolution to the Ukraine war remains a priority for India, Modi said, while positioning India as a potential mediator.
The summit appears to serve Russia's strategic interests, the ISW suggests, potentially providing opportunities to "establish deals and trade mechanisms" that could help circumvent Western sanctions and support its military operations in Ukraine.
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