Putin’s Strategy at BRICS
Russian President Vladimir Putin is using the BRICS summit to strengthen ties with non-Western nations, seeking to counter growing Western isolation due to the Ukraine war. The BRICS coalition—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—presents Putin with an opportunity to position Russia as a key player in a new global order independent of Western influence. This move is part of Russia’s larger strategy to build economic, political, and military partnerships that reduce dependence on the U.S. and Europe.
Putin’s Goal: A Multipolar World
At the summit, Putin has promoted the idea of a multipolar world, challenging the dominance of Western powers. Russia’s increasing isolation from the West due to sanctions has made it imperative for Putin to cultivate alliances with nations that may share a vision of reduced Western influence. Putin is advocating for expanding BRICS membership to include other emerging economies, which he hopes will strengthen this global alliance. The summit allows Putin to present Russia as a nation that, despite being shunned by the West, remains a central player on the world stage.
Divisions Over the Ukraine War
However, the ongoing war in Ukraine casts a shadow over the summit, exposing divisions within BRICS. While China has offered diplomatic support to Russia, other BRICS nations like India, Brazil, and South Africa have taken more neutral or cautious stances. India, in particular, has maintained strong ties with both the West and Russia, while Brazil and South Africa have called for peaceful solutions. These differing positions on Ukraine reflect the complexity of aligning BRICS members behind a unified stance.
Although BRICS members share concerns about Western hegemony, their individual economic and geopolitical interests do not entirely align with Russia’s war in Ukraine. This division complicates Putin’s efforts to rally BRICS into a cohesive anti-Western bloc, making unity more difficult to achieve.
Economic Focus: Alternatives to the U.S. Dollar
A central theme of the BRICS summit has been the promotion of economic alternatives to Western financial systems. Russia, under heavy sanctions, has pushed for de-dollarization, advocating the use of local currencies in trade between BRICS nations. By reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar, Putin hopes to build a financial infrastructure that helps Russia and other BRICS members evade the effects of Western sanctions.
This economic shift aligns with BRICS’ broader goals of challenging the current Western-dominated financial system. For Russia, building economic alternatives is not just strategic but essential for its survival under sustained Western pressure.
Geopolitical Impact: Challenging Western Dominance
Putin’s efforts at the BRICS summit are part of a broader strategy to challenge Western geopolitical dominance. By fostering stronger alliances with emerging powers, he seeks to promote an alternative model of global governance that emphasizes national sovereignty and greater autonomy from Western norms. However, the varying interests and stances within BRICS suggest that creating a unified non-Western front is a complex challenge.
The Future of BRICS
As the war in Ukraine continues, the BRICS summit offers Putin a chance to build strategic alliances and promote Russia’s vision of a multipolar world. However, the divisions within BRICS over the Ukraine war highlight the difficulties Putin faces in building a cohesive coalition. Despite these challenges, BRICS remains an important platform for Russia to project influence in a changing global landscape.
