This week, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia hosted a three-day summit in Kazan, attended by various world leaders, including those from China and India. The event marked the first official meeting between these nations in over five years, with Putin asserting that the West is experiencing an irreversible decline.
While the summit unfolded, the war in Ukraine continued to escalate, nearing its third year. Concerns were raised by Western officials regarding the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, a situation that Putin appeared to acknowledge. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East heightened as Israel prepared for potential retaliation against Iran.
Despite these global issues, the atmosphere at the BRICS summit was largely insulated from external realities. The gathering, characterized by a sense of camaraderie among like-minded leaders and supportive media, allowed Putin to project an image of Russia as a significant player in shaping a new world order.
Putin's ability to travel internationally is restricted due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, yet the presence of numerous leaders and the United Nations Secretary-General provided him with a rare sense of normalcy since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
Experts noted that the BRICS summit represented a "parallel universe" that Russia is attempting to create in response to its exclusion from the existing global order. The final communiqué from the summit criticized the West's approach to the Middle East crisis, while the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine were largely overlooked.
As delegations arrived in Kazan, the city experienced significant traffic disruptions. The event featured cultural performances, and leaders engaged in light-hearted interactions, with representatives from 35 states and six international organizations in attendance.
However, the specter of Russia's isolation loomed over the summit. Organizers informed participants that non-Russian bank cards would not function in the country, advising them to bring U.S. dollars or euros instead.
On the economic front, Russia's financial struggles were underscored when the central bank raised the key interest rate to 21 percent, the highest in years. The involvement of North Korean troops highlighted Moscow's need for additional manpower in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, complicating its diplomatic relationship with China.
Despite the positive atmosphere at the summit, tensions persisted among BRICS members, particularly regarding differing views on the U.S.-led global order. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of reforming existing institutions rather than attempting to replace them.
Analysts expressed skepticism about the potential for BRICS to evolve into a cohesive geopolitical force, noting that member states have varied interests and engage primarily for pragmatic benefits. While there is interest in addressing the needs of developing countries, significant challenges remain.
Experts concluded that while BRICS may evolve into a more structured institution over time, the current geopolitical landscape presents obstacles that may hinder its effectiveness in advancing Russia's interests amid the Ukraine crisis.