Russian President, Vladimir Putin has offered to host the next year’s BRICS summit.
This year’s BRICS summit runs until Thursday, August 24, 2023. The BRICS is a bloc which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Together, these countries account for 40 percent of world population and a quarter of the global economy.
Putin could not attend the ongoing BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine meant that Putin would have faced possible arrest if he attended the summit in person because South Africa is a member of the international court.
Due to this, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov attended the conference in Putin’s absence.
In a speech given via video link, Putin invited the representatives of the other member states, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, to the Russian city of Kazan in October 2024.
The specific date will be agreed on through diplomatic channels.
Putin announced that there would be more than 200 political, economic and social events under Russia’s BRICS presidency in the coming year.
Brazil was supposed to host the 2024 BRICS summit. However, it changed places with Russia in the rotating chairmanship to avoid a clash with its hosting of next year’s G20 summit.
The Russian leader gave justifications for quitting the Black Sea grain export deal and to claim that Moscow wants to end the war in Ukraine, which he accused the West of starting.
Putin disclosed at the summit that Moscow wants to end a war that has been “unleashed by the West and its satellites” in Ukraine. Putin told his colleagues at the summit that the war was a forced response to actions by Kyiv and the West.
Putin said that Russia’s “actions in Ukraine are dictated by only one thing; to end the war that was unleased by the West and its satellites against the people of Donbas.”
Putin also boasted about Russia’s capacity to export agricultural products.
“I have repeatedly said that our country is able to substitute Ukrainian grain both on a commercial basis and in the form of gratuitous aid to needy countries, especially since we are again expecting an excellent harvest this year.”
Vladimir Putin
“As a first step, we have decided to send 25-50,000 tons of grain to six African countries free of charge, including free delivery of these cargoes,” Putin added.
Russia’s fellow BRICS nations have refrained from condemning Moscow’s ongoing invasion in Ukraine.
Lula Says Bloc Is Poised To Contribute To End Of Russia-Ukraine War
Meanwhile, President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated that BRICS countries are involved in Ukrainian and Russian efforts to end the ongoing war.
In an address at the summit’s plenary session, Lula said, “We stand ready to join an effort that can effectively contribute to a prompt ceasefire and a just and lasting peace.”
“We do not underestimate the efforts to reach peace. We believe everyone suffers from the consequences of the war. The most vulnerable populations in the developing populations are the ones that suffer.
“The quest for peace is a collective obligation and an imperative for a fair and sustainable development. The BRICS should act as a force for understanding and cooperation. Our willingness is expressed in the contribution given by China, South Africa and my own country on the resolution of the conflict.”
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
He also criticised the United Nations Security Council’s limitations in dealing with the conflict.
“The war in Ukraine highlights the limitations of the UN Security Council,” Lula said.
