Vladimir Putin to meet with 20 world leaders in sinister warning to the West

Vladimir Putin is set to demonstrate his global alliances despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as he welcomes leaders representing approximately 40% of the world’s population to Russia.
The Russian leader, whose unlawful invasion of Ukraine has persisted for nearly three years, will meet with Xi Jinping of China and Narendra Modi of India, who represent the two most populous countries globally.
Russia is still at war with Ukraine, which has suffered large casualties as a result, but the growing conflict in the Middle East has Putin gleeful about the storm.
Around 32 nations are expected to participate in the 2024 BRICS summit, which will take place in the Russian city of Kazan over the next three days, starting today. Putin is anticipated to host bilateral meetings with 20 countries during the event.
BRICS – an acronym for its founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – was established in 2009 as a counterpoint to Western organizations like NATO and the G7.
However, in recent years, the organization has served as a platform for the Kremlin to demonstrate its continued global alliances despite an international arrest warrant being issued for Putin.
Putin is likely to use the summit to garner support for his war in Ukraine and propose an alternative to the US-backed SWIFT banking system to evade Western-imposed sanctions.
This year’s 16th BRICS summit will also see representation from Iran, its new president Masoud Pezeshkian, and Turkey, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who applied for his country to join the group in January.
President Erdogan’s Turkey, despite being a NATO member, has been vocally critical of Israel’s conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah, straining relations with Europe, the UK, and the US.
Meanwhile, Iran has solidified its alliance with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict by supplying Putin with lethal Shahid drones targeting Ukrainian civilians.
The upcoming summit will see Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia in attendance, along with Azerbaijan and Malaysia.
However, Brazil, a BRICS founding nation, is notably absent after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suffered an accident at home.
Under President Javier Milei, Argentina has also stepped back from BRICS following his inauguration in December 2023.
Yet, the gathering in Kazan anticipates additional countries, with Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bolivia, Congo, Thailand, Nicaragua, and Laos expected to join. Nigeria and Morocco are reportedly sending delegates as well.
Alexander Gabuyev, head of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, commented on the appeal of BRICS: “The beauty of BRICS is that it doesn’t put too many obligations on you.”
He added, “There are not that many strings attached, really, to being part of BRICS. And at the same time, there might be interesting opportunities coming your way, including just having more face time with all of these leaders.”
The 20 countries anticipated at the BRICS summit include Russia, China, India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.