Three years ago, Russia invaded the sovereign state of Ukraine, an action that diplomatically and economically isolated the country from much of the international community. This action may have seemed nonsensical and/or foolish; however, in the background, Russia still had its supporters, that of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) alliance. Over a few days, they convened in Russia for their annual meeting.
This meeting, among many things, highlighted a few key facts about the organization, Russia’s diplomatic situation and the future of global power balance. This organization initially formed in 2009, having its first summit with Brazil, Russia, India and China in attendance. They incorporated South Africa the following year. The alliance of these states mainly formed to convene the growing economies of these countries as a way to offset the western dominated global economy. In 2015, they launched their New Development Bank as a way to counter the World Bank. However, as of recent, Russia and China have looked to shift the groups focus from one of monetary to a more diplomatic/military one.
This comes conveniently at a time when Russia has been suffering more and more from its invasion of Ukraine and the international backlash they have received from it. Since the war started, there have been reports of BRICS members and a new member (Iran) selling the Russians either full-grade military tech or raw materials needed to sustain the conflict. No nation has come out to own up to these deals. However, on top of this, they have also looked at creating a non-western, non-US currency as a means to get around western sanctions.
Top members China and India have also been staunchly against both the Ukraine conflict and the Israeli-Palestine conflict, calling for a ceasefire in both and even establishing closer ties to Palestine. The group has seen great expansion in recent years, pooling in countries like Egypt, the U.A.E, Iran and others who have taken a non-western stance recently. It also has begun attracting around 30 other countries’ attention to becoming full members in the future, greatly bolstering its influence.
This also comes at a time of caution for the U.S., as the election will define diplomatic policies that affect the world.. This meeting, taking place at around the same time as the election, is a showcase to the world that Putin, despite the tariffs and sanctions, has support. It also shows a great disinterest globally to the western agenda, pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the Middle East, something the U.S. has been seen to be staunchly against.
The group is fractured, however, with it being made up of a variety of different governments and economies. The group is filled with various viewpoints and agendas, making it difficult for the Kremlin to convince the organization to shift its focus to try and rival a western alliance. There is also no central leader to it, with Putin having to appear through a digital screen last year due to his international bounty. Along with that, there is the slow, unsuccessful war in Ukraine, which, regardless of this alliance, has damaged Russian standings worldwide.
Beijing is the current economic powerhouse in the group. However, its long-standing feud with another fundamental member, India, causes tensions to rise amongst the leading members. India has also seen continuing to play both sides, as it also increases its relations with the U.S. all the while continuing its support for this organization.
Overall, BRICS is a powerful entity, which, if unified, would aid the Kremlin and Beijing in standing up to western influences. For now, they are deeply divided. However, more will come out as the summit continues on for its remaining days.
