Putin Meets Xi Jinping and Modi, Seeks to Break 'Western Isolation' Leading BRICS (Summary)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to break Western isolation by meeting consecutively with leaders of various countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the first day of the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit on the 22nd (local time). Within BRICs, he is also pushing for a 'new world order' opposing the West, advocating for expanding payments in national currencies to promote 'de-dollarization.'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to foreign media such as AFP, President Putin held bilateral talks with President Xi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and others in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, the host location of the BRICs summit.

President Putin told President Xi, "Cooperation between Russia and China on international issues is one of the main factors leading to global stabilization," adding, "We will further strengthen cooperation on all multilateral platforms to ensure world security and a fair world order." President Xi referred to Putin as a 'friend' and responded, "Serious changes on the international stage cannot undermine China-Russia relations."

Prime Minister Modi said, "We have been in continuous contact regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict," and added, "We believe this issue must be resolved peacefully. We fully support all efforts for the swift restoration of peace and stability." He also emphasized that "we are ready to provide all possible support going forward" and that all issues could be discussed during this bilateral meeting.

South African President Ramaphosa told President Putin, "Russia is a valuable ally and friend." He also expressed gratitude, saying, "Russia has supported us from the days when we fought against apartheid until now." President Putin had a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, who could not visit Kazan due to health reasons. President Lula conveyed his intention to attend the summit virtually on the 23rd.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

BRICs, launched in 2006 as a group of emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has established itself as a non-Western alliance. President Putin is using this BRICs summit as an opportunity to shed the image of being isolated in the international community due to Western sanctions following the Ukraine 'special military operation.'

US economic media CNBC reported, "By hosting the BRICs summit, Russia is demonstrating its power to the West," and added, "BRICs, which was initially an organization of rapidly developing economies, has now transformed into a geopolitical forum for the most powerful countries outside the West." Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated in an interview with Russian state media that the issue of BRICs expansion could be discussed at this summit, noting that 13 countries have applied for 'BRICs partner' status. It is known that T?rkiye, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and Thailand have applied for membership.

Seeking to move away from US-led finance, President Putin also advocated for expanding payments in national currencies. During a meeting with Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank (NDB), he emphasized that increasing the share of local currency payments among BRICs member countries would enhance financial independence, reduce geopolitical risks, and allow economic development to be free from political constraints. The NDB was established in 2014 by BRICs countries Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as a self-developed bank to counter the US-led international financial order.

After the Ukraine 'special military operation,' Russia was expelled from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) due to Western economic sanctions, making an alternative payment system necessary. Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center's Russia and Eurasia Program, explained to AFP, "Russia believes that if it creates a payment platform involving important countries for the US such as China, India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, the US will not be able to interfere recklessly."

President Putin also emphasized at the BRICs Business Forum held last week before the summit, "The authority and role of BRICs in the international community are growing," adding, "BRICs countries are the driving force of global economic growth. The economic growth of these member countries will reduce dependence on external influence and interference, which is essentially economic sovereignty."

On the 23rd and 24th, President Putin will also meet with leaders of BRICs member or prospective member countries and heads of major international organizations, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres. The summit is attended by 36 countries and 6 international organizations, with 22 heads of state attending in person.