The summit in Sazan of the leaders of emerging economies, officiated by the head of the Kremlin, from Guterres’ visit to the dream of “reforming world finance” passing through Ukraine and the Middle East: it is the idea of the world seen from the East
A new multipolar order and criticism of the West animated the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia, where the leaders of emerging economies met the host, the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, from 22 to 24 October. Among the big names who arrived in Russia were the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, the Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and, not without controversy, the secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.
Brics poised between differences and good relations with the West
I Brics include ten countries. In addition to the five members whose initials make up the letters of the acronym (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia (yet to be formalized) and the United Arab Emirates have been added since last year. Together, they represent 45% of the global population and around 28% of the global economy, compared to around 10% for the G7 countries. Other countries have expressed interest in joining the emerging economies: in addition to Turkey, a member of NATO, Thailand and Malaysia have also expressed the desire to join the Brics, but the number of countries that are sympathetic or would like to join would be higher: thirty, according to Russian officials.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
What was held in Kazan was the sixteenth summit of the countries of the acronym, with the theme “strengthening multilateralism for fair security and global order”. And despite an image of unity, the differences between the member countries are many and difficult to reconcile. This is the case of relations between China and India, which are affected by border disputes, also discussed in the meeting between the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the Kazan summit, or between Iran and Saudi Arabia, despite the recent normalization of relations facilitated by Beijing’s diplomatic action.
And despite Russia’s strong anti-Western sentiment, several members, like India, want to maintain good political and economic relations with the West.
Russia, China, Ukraine and the race for the White House
The summit underlined, once again, the high level of relations between Russia and China. On the sidelines of the Kazan summit, Xi and Putin met and the Russian leader reiterated that the relations between Moscow and Beijing “have become a model of how relations between the states of the modern world should be built”, defining the cooperation between the two large countries “multifaceted”, “equal”, “mutually advantageous” and “non-opportunistic”, according to what the Kremlin reports.
Cordial tones reciprocated by the Chinese leader, who underlined the “deep friendship” between China and Russia. “Despite the complex and serious external situation,” Xi said in the official Chinese version, Beijing and Moscow have “actively promoted” bilateral cooperation.
Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping (Public domain)
The war in Ukraine, never mentioned in the official press releases of the meeting between the two heads of state, was instead mentioned by Putin in the press conference closing the summit. Moscow is willing to consider an option for peace “based on the real situation on the ground”, the Kremlin leader said, underlining in an invitation to Western countries, that “if anyone wants to resume relations with us, it is welcome to do so.”
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, spoke to Putin about the war in Ukraine and, in a bilateral meeting with the Russian leader, underlined that “the Russian invasion of Ukraine was in violation of the United Nations Charter and of international law”. Guterres and Putin then also discussed the situation in the Middle East, focusing on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and to avoid further escalation.
Putin and courtesies towards Trump
Although never mentioned directly in the final declaration of the summit, a passage on the United States could not be missing, a few days before the polls on November 5th which will see the US vice president, Kamala Harris, challenge the former president Donald Trump in the race for the White House. In the final press conference of the Brics summit, Putin cited Russia’s relationship with the United States, underlining that if the United States is open to normal relations with Russia, Moscow will do the same, but “it will depend on the next US administration”.
Putin also spoke about Donald Trump, in response to journalists’ questions. The Russian leader assessed the Republican candidate’s words on the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine if he returned to the White House as “sincere”, while he essentially glossed over the presence of North Korean troops on Russian territory.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in 2018 in Helsinki
The Kazan Declaration
The message coming from the summit hosted by Russia is one of criticism of the West. “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing effect of illegal unilateral coercive measures, including illegal sanctions, on the global economy, international trade and the achievement of the sustainable development goals,” reads one of the 134 points of the Kazan declaration, which dedicates ample space also for the war in the Middle East.
BRICS calls for an “immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip, and “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees on both sides who are held captive illegally.” The Brics denounce Israeli attacks against humanitarian operations, facilities and personnel and distribution points, express support for the membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations and alarm at the situation in southern Lebanon.
There is also a passage on Ukraine: the final communiqué of the summit speaks of “national positions regarding the situation in and around Ukraine, and appreciation is expressed for the mediation proposals “aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”
A moment from the plenary of the Brics summit in Kazan
Reforming world finance
On cooperation in the field of economics and finance, the Brics underline the “need to reform the current international financial architecture” to make it “more fair and inclusive”. The countries of the acronym declare their support for economic recovery and sustainable development at a global level.
There is also room for new technologies: the Brics encourage exchanges and dialogues on artificial intelligence, we read in a passage of the Kazan declaration, while on climate change they underline the importance of taking national circumstances and national economies into consideration , the energy mix and the specific circumstances of developing countries, which depend on the consumption of fossil fuels and energy-intensive industries, to achieve a “just energy transition”.
Finally, with a welcome passage to China and a veiled reference to the United States, the Brics also declare that they reject “unilateral discriminatory and punitive protectionist measures”.
Eugenio Buzzetti – Journalist
