Russia welcomed 22 world leaders in Kazan to the BRICS Summit, demonstrating that it is still committed to global engagement despite Western attempts at isolation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Kazan (Russia) for an unannounced trip to attend the three day BRICS Summit after declining an invite to the Global Peace Summit held in Switzerland.
Yury Ushakov, the Russian Presidential aide, announced on 21 October that Putin and Guterres would meet on 24 October at the BRICS Summit.
The summit brings together leaders from Brazil, Russia India, China and South Africa. It aims at fostering cooperation among emerging markets, and challenging Western-dominated institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.
Guterres said that “Moscow’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine set a dangerous precedent” for the world. He has consistently called for a “justiced peace” which respects international law as well as Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported on 21 Oct that Guterres had declined Ukraine’s invitation for the first Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland.
“This is the wrong choice and does not advance peace.” It only damages UN’s image,” Ukraine’s Foreign affairs reports.
Russia wants to convince BRICS nations to build a payment platform that is resistant to Western sanctions.
The White House played down concerns about the alliance, stating it does not view the group as a “threat.”
Voice of America reports that Western media outlets described the summit as “a message to the West amid war in Ukraine”.
Ushakov said that Putin is planning bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The three-day summit of leaders from two dozen countries is Russia’s largest event in recent years.
The News York Times reports that “China, Russia, and Iran… hope to create a cohesive bloc to combat the West.”
The newspaper also adds that Putin “is determined to show the West he isn’t alone and that he has important allies by his side.”
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