Main Outcomes of the BRICS Summit

Russia and China have long considered the economic group BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as a means to challenge Western global dominance. However, the planned expansion of the group has underscored the isolation of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the global stage.

The Washington Post reports that due to charges brought against Putin by the International Criminal Court for abductions of Ukrainian children, he could not physically attend the Johannesburg summit and instead appeared via video link from Moscow. During the summit, Putin adopted a defensive tone and accused the West of "illegal" actions and violating norms.

While other BRICS leaders used their speeches to advocate for global equality, Putin's remarks were directly aimed at his Western adversaries. He stated, "We are against any form of hegemony," and accused his opponents of perpetuating neocolonialism.

Turning to the familiar defense of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin again pointed fingers at the West, asserting that the desire of certain countries to uphold hegemony led to the severe crisis in Ukraine.

The primary focus of the summit was the proposed expansion of the group, determining how many nations could join and under what conditions. China's desire to expand BRICS aligns with President Xi's broader efforts to reshape international systems to accommodate China's interests.

Unexpectedly missing the summit's business forum on Tuesday, President Xi reappeared on Wednesday, urging BRICS to accelerate its expansion while cautioning against the lingering Cold War mentality. He emphasized that BRICS should combat decoupling, supply chain disruptions, and economic coercion, referring to Western sanctions. Xi also called for adherence to the UN Charter and equal participation in the formulation of international rules.

However, China's push for expansion reveals divisions among BRICS members concerning the group's objectives and goals. The summit highlighted that despite their shared aim of challenging Western dominance, BRICS lacks unity and common objectives, casting doubt on its effectiveness as a global counterforce.

Numerous countries have applied to join the group, including Russia's allies Iran and Venezuela, both of which are under Western sanctions, as well as others such as Argentina, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

China's endeavor to expand the group risks exposing rifts among BRICS members about the group's purpose and objectives, according to former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev. He suggested that the desire of many countries to join BRICS is another indication that developing countries are seeking new tools to voice their concerns and be heard by the West.

Konstantin Sonin, a political and economic analyst at the University of Chicago, observed that the summit reaffirmed his view that BRICS remains a "superficial structure" lacking cohesion or shared goals.

The BRICS group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa and has been long viewed by Russia and China as a way to counter Western dominance. The recent summit showcased the challenges and divisions within the group's expansion efforts, reflecting the broader shifts in global power dynamics.