Putin, Xi at BRICS Summit Vow to Strengthen Cooperation in Global Affairs

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Tuesday during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.

In his opening remarks, President Putin highlighted the importance of Russian-Chinese collaboration, stating that it was a stabilizing force on the world stage.

“We intend to further increase coordination at all multilateral platforms in order to ensure global security and a fair world order,” Putin said, according to the Kremlin.ru.

Xi Jinping echoed these sentiments, noting that the world is undergoing significant changes and challenges.

“But I firmly believe that the friendship between China and Russia will continue for generations, and great countries’ responsibility to their people will not change,” he said, according to Reuters.

The partnership between Moscow and Beijing has grown stronger since Russia launched what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022.

This collaboration has raised concerns in the West, especially as both countries look to expand their global influence. Shortly before Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine, China and Russia declared an “unrestricted” partnership, a move that caught the attention of many Western nations.

The European Union, the United States, and NATO have since warned China against supplying Russia with military equipment. China has denied these claims, maintaining that it does not supply Russia with weapons. However, China has continued to export dual-use goods such as motors used in drones and electronic components.

Putin and Xi last met in July and have repeatedly vowed to strengthen ties in response to Western sanctions. Their cooperation spans a range of areas, including energy, defense, and trade, making their partnership a key focal point in global geopolitics.

This week’s BRICS summit, which runs for three days, brought together the group’s founding members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – who form a major bloc of emerging economies.

BRICS, which offers an alternative to the Western-led world order, expanded this year to include five new countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. More nations are eager to join, with around 40 countries expected to participate in the summit.

In addition to meeting Xi, Putin held discussions with other global leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.