Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, emphasizing the idea of a robust partnership between China and Russia as a model for international relations. This meeting, which lasted about an hour, served to showcase the assertion that the two nations could form an unshakeable alliance, although neither side openly addressed any points of contention, such as Putin’s ambitions to strengthen ties with North Korea. Both Russian and Chinese media underscored this relationship, painting a picture of unity and cooperation, which highlights their mutual strategic interests amid growing tensions with the West.
The BRICS summit is key for Russia as it seeks to demonstrate that it remains an influential global player despite Western sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine. Held in Kazan, Russia, this summit includes not only the founding members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—but has expanded to include nations like Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Iran. Russia is set to head the coalition in 2024, and the current summit offers a stage for Putin to engage with leaders from a variety of allied countries while reinforcing the narrative that Russia is not diplomatically isolated. The summit also presents an opportunity for Russia to garner support from its BRICS counterparts, showcasing the alliance as a formidable counterforce to Western influence.
During the summit, Putin and Xi touted their cooperative relationship, asserting its significance within the broader BRICS framework. Both leaders expressed mutual admiration, asserting that their collaboration is an exemplary model for modern state relationships characterized by equality and mutual benefit. Putin emphasized that the Russia-China partnership plays a crucial role in stabilizing global affairs, suggesting that their cooperation extends to various international issues, including conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. This portrayal aims to solidify their alliance as not just beneficial for their own nations but also as a critical stabilizing factor in the global arena amid turbulent geopolitical events.
Xi echoed these sentiments, heralding the long-standing friendship between China and Russia as resilient in the face of changing international dynamics. He emphasized the importance of their strategic alignment, framing their relationship as essential for the empowerment of both nations as great powers. Xi also commended the BRICS alliance for fostering inclusive global economic growth, indicating that China sees itself not only as a key partner within the group but also as a driving force behind its success and development.
Despite the focus on their unity, there was a conspicuous absence of discussion regarding specific international issues that could reveal tensions, particularly concerning North Korea. Reports suggest that while relations between Russia and North Korea have grown stronger, the dynamics between China and North Korea have become more complicated. This could potentially foreshadow future challenges within their alliance as differing interests arise concerning regional stability and diplomatic strategies.
Looking ahead, the BRICS summit aims to address pivotal topics such as the addition of new member countries and establishing a parallel international payment system to circumvent sanctions. The potential expansion of BRICS membership includes countries like Venezuela and Cuba, alongside more diverse nations such as Turkey and Zimbabwe. The leaders are likely to deliberate on how to manage this growing interest in membership while ensuring the coalition remains cohesive in its goals. The dynamics within BRICS could lead to crucial decisions on collaboration and tackling contemporary global issues, including financial sanctions and regional conflicts such as the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.