Putin Hosts 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan Amid Global Shifts

Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting the 16th annual BRICS summit in Kazan, a southwestern city in Russia. This three-day summit, which began on Tuesday, marks the largest international gathering in Russia in recent years, taking place while the country remains engaged in conflict with Ukraine, which is supported by Western allies.

The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was established in 2006, with its first summit held in 2009. South Africa joined the group in 2010, completing the current lineup.

This year’s summit is attracting participation not only from BRICS members but also from other global leaders looking to strengthen ties with the alliance. Among the attendees are Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Leaders from the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran, including UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, are also present.

The BRICS bloc aims to challenge Western dominance in global economic and political spheres. Member countries set annual priorities and rotate the responsibility of hosting the summit.