The meeting of the BRICS bloc of developing economies aims to counterbalance the Western-led world order. And its bloc of members is expanding rapidly. Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia joined in January; Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia formally applied, and a number of others expressed a desire to be members.
Putin will hold around 20 bilateral meetings, foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said, and the summit could turn into “the largest foreign policy event ever held” on Russian soil. The Kremlin will also be able to talk to major players like India and China about expanding trade and bypassing Western sanctions.
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Analysts say the Kremlin wants the optics of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its global allies amid continued tensions with the West, as well as the practicality of negotiating deals with them to shore up Russia’s economy and its war effort. For the other participants, it’s a chance to amplify their voices and narratives.
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