The upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, set to take place from October 22 to 24, has garnered attention due to notable absences and geopolitical undercurrents. Brazilian President Lula will not attend in person following a fall that resulted in a head injury, requiring stitches and leading to a minor brain hemorrhage. Despite this setback, Lula plans to participate virtually, with Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira representing him at the summit.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, faces challenges due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the deportation of Ukrainian children. This incident has overshadowed his diplomatic efforts, including his decision not to attend the G20 summit in Brazil. Nevertheless, Putin aims to use the BRICS summit to demonstrate Russia's international engagement despite Western sanctions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The summit will see leaders from major countries, including China and India, converging in Kazan. China’s President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to engage in discussions on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing regional and international issues. The summit will also explore financial cooperation and alternative payment systems as part of a broader strategy to challenge the US-led global order.
With new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joining the BRICS bloc, the summit reflects a shift towards a multipolar world. While there are no plans for peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, the gathering underscores the varied geopolitical stances within the BRICS nations, each presenting different proposals for resolving the conflict.
