In an unexpected twist of international relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin finds himself navigating a complex web of alliances and rivalries as he hosts the BRICS summit in Kazan.
This three-day gathering includes notable countries like China, India, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
But what does this mean for Russia’s standing on the global stage?
Is it a genuine effort to reshape world order, or merely a presentation designed to mask deeper issues?
To unravel this situation, we spoke with Sir Roderick Lyon, a former UK ambassador to Russia.
He shared his insights on whether Putin’s efforts to counteract Western isolation have borne fruit.
According to Lyon, the summit is more about rhetoric than tangible outcomes.
He argues that it lacks the cohesion of a true alliance, as the participating countries span a spectrum from Marxist regimes to varying forms of autocracy and democracy.
The summit features nations with conflicting interests.
For instance, China and India are competitors striving for dominance in Asia, while Egypt is embroiled in disputes with Ethiopia, another new member of BRICS.
Additionally, the contrasting positions of Iran and Saudi Arabia highlight the deep divides within the group.
Lyon emphasizes that this gathering is more about optics for Putin, who seeks to project an image of support that doesn’t align with the reality of these nations’ stances on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Despite Putin’s ambitions, the BRICS countries have historically been reluctant to back Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
Most of them abstained from voting at the United Nations regarding the invasion, underscoring their lack of genuine support for Moscow’s agenda.
The summit, therefore, appears to be a façade rather than a substantive shift in international alliances.
One of the key goals for Russia at this summit is to encourage BRICS nations to move away from the US dollar in trade.
However, Lyon points out that this ambition is largely unrealistic.
Over its 15-year existence, BRICS has made little progress in establishing alternative financial systems, and the dollar remains the dominant currency globally.
Even though some trade between Russia and China now occurs in yuan, this represents only a fraction of China’s total trade.
Russia’s reliance on countries like Iran and North Korea for military supplies adds another layer of complexity.
As Putin seeks artillery shells from North Korea, he has had to compromise his standing, which may not sit well with the Russian populace.
This dependency raises concerns about Russia’s long-term strategic position, particularly given its historical apprehensions about becoming a subordinate partner to China.
Meanwhile, the UK is taking a bold step in its support for Ukraine by planning to use profits from frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war efforts.
Mark Hollingsworth, an expert on Russian finance, explained that the UK government intends to lend Ukraine £2.2 billion, which will be repaid using profits from Russian assets held abroad.
However, questions arise about the feasibility of this plan, especially since the assets in question are currently frozen.
Hollingsworth expressed skepticism about how Ukraine could generate profits from these frozen accounts.
The lack of clarity from the British government on this matter raises legal and ethical concerns, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict and the need for international law compliance.
The complexity of seizing Russian state assets for Ukraine’s benefit adds another layer of tension to the already fraught geopolitical landscape.
As the BRICS summit unfolds, the world watches closely to see how Russia will respond to the UK’s financial maneuvers.
Historically, retaliatory measures from Moscow have followed similar provocations.
Experts speculate that Russia may take steps to freeze Western assets within its borders in response to the UK’s actions.
In the midst of this diplomatic juggling act, reports have emerged suggesting that North Korean troops may begin assisting Russia in its military operations.
If true, this development could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict.
However, it remains unclear whether North Korea’s involvement stems from ideological alignment or purely financial motivations.
As the summit progresses, the implications for Russia’s international standing and its relationships with both allies and adversaries remain uncertain.
The interplay of economic interests, military cooperation, and historical rivalries paints a complicated picture of a nation striving to assert itself against the backdrop of increasing isolation.
In summary, the BRICS summit serves as a stage for Putin’s attempts to showcase Russia’s importance on the global front.
Yet, beneath the surface lies a tangled web of conflicting interests and dependencies that challenge the notion of a united front.
The coming days will reveal whether this summit marks a turning point for Russia or simply another chapter in its ongoing struggle for relevance on the world stage.
