BRICS Summit Concludes in Russia Amid Putin’s Critique of Western Influence

Kazan, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded the BRICS summit on Thursday with a forceful critique of the West, labeling its strategies as “perverse” and hailing BRICS as a counterbalance to Western dominance. Held in Kazan, this three-day garing saw BRICS members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — deepen financial cooperation and explore alternatives to Western-led payment systems, while also addressing regional conflicts and expanding membership. 

BRICS bloc, founded in 2009, recently welcomed Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, solidifying its expanding global influence. Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia have applied to join, with interest from several countries, underscoring the bloc’s appeal as an alternative to Western-aligned structures. Leaders from 36 nations attended the Kazan summit, making it, according to the Kremlin, the “largest foreign policy event” Russia has hosted. 

During the “BRICS Plus” session, Putin sharply criticized the West, accusing it of undermining the Global South through “illegal unilateral sanctions, protectionism, currency manipulation, and claims of promoting democracy.” He argued that the tactics are driving new conflicts and worsening existing tensions, pointing specifically to Ukraine as a “tool” wielded by the West to endanger Russia’s security and dismiss its interests. 

Shifting Geopolitical Dynamics 

BRICS expansion and summit’s turnout emphasize Russia’s continued engagement despite U.S.-led sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. Putin initiated this full-scale invasion over two years ago, citing security concerns over NATO’s eastward expansion and claiming to defend pro-Russian communities in Ukraine’s east. Russian forces currently control an estimated 20% of Ukraine, with heavy fighting ongoing and tens of thousands of lives lost. 

China’s President Xi Jinping also highlighted BRICS’ global security role, referencing a China-Brazil peace proposal for Ukraine, which Ukraine has rejected. “We should promote de-escalation and lay a foundation for political resolution,” Xi said, stressing the bloc’s capacity to mediate in global conflicts. Russia and China have strengthened ties over recent years, with leaders Putin and Xi meeting multiple times to advance their shared vision of a “democratic world order” that counters Western dominance. 

Russia’s alliance with India has also held strong, rooted in Cold War-era ties and deepened by mutual economic and defense interests. India, while maintaining neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has faced Western pressure to denounce Moscow’s actions, though Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to call for a peaceful settlement. 

A Shift in Global Financial Architecture 

As a strategic priority, Russia has advanced discussions within BRICS to develop a payment system independent of the global SWIFT network, which Western sanctions have restricted. This alternative aims to facilitate trade among sanctioned nations, bolstering the economic autonomy of the U.S. and its allies. In a joint declaration, summit members decried “unilateral coercive measures” such as sanctions and affirmed their commitment to establishing “efficient, transparent, and inclusive” cross-border payment options. 

BRICS members have championed financial reform that allows trade on equal terms, regardless of political alliances, as outlined in ir statement, which stressed the necessity of “non-discriminatory access” to such systems. Moscow sees this initiative as a potential shield against Western financial pressures and as a foundation for deeper integration among BRICS and “BRICS Plus” nations. 

Global South Rising: Western Concerns and Kremlin Triumphs 

summit’s significance has not gone unnoticed in Western circles, where analysts warn of a diminishing ability to isolate Moscow. Russian state-controlled media celebrated the Kazan summit as a strategic victory, claiming it exposed the West’s failure to contain Russia. Programs across Russian television emphasized BRICS’ position as a “global majority,” with BRICS nations collectively representing nearly half of the world’s population. Yevgeny Popov, a prominent talk show host on Rossiya 1, echoed this sentiment, stating, “West, Washington, Brussels, and London, have isolated themselves.” 

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who attended the summit for the first time in over two years, underscored the need for global peace efforts. Addressing the “BRICS Plus” session, he called for an end to ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Sudan. “We need peace in Ukraine, a just peace in line with the U.N. Charter,” he stated. 

As Russia’s political alliances continue to shift, the Kazan summit underscores a trend toward realignment in the global power structure, with BRICS emerging as a formidable coalition challenging the longstanding influence of the West.