Putin and Xi Pledge for 'Just World Order' Amid Sanctions and Global Rebalancing

Vladimir Putin, isolated by the West over Ukraine, hosted a summit in Kazan, Russia, with leaders from China, India, and South Africa. The event aimed to rebalance a world order dominated by the United States. Putin, unable to travel freely due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, showcased his global influence by welcoming Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi.

Xi's arrival was marked by a Russian fighter jet escort and ceremonial pomp. Putin and Xi pledged to collaborate for a "just world order," emphasizing their international cooperation as a stabilizing force. The summit, a high-profile event since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, also included meetings with Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

Ukraine criticized Guterres's meeting with Putin, highlighting Russia's continued international engagement. Hanna Notte of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies noted that the summit underscored Putin's non-isolation and the normalization of the Ukraine war.

BRICS, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The group represents nearly half the world's population and over 35% of global economic output. However, consensus within BRICS may be challenging due to diverse interests.

India's Modi urged peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reflecting India's balanced stance. India has supported Russia's economy by purchasing discounted oil, despite U.S. and European sanctions.

The summit aims to create a global payments system to rival SWIFT, excluded from Russia post-invasion. While BRICS members have supported Russia's economy, Notte argues this support is insufficient for Russia to win the war, citing manpower and ammunition issues.

Security in Kazan, 800 miles from Ukraine's front line, is tight due to recent drone attacks. The summit's impact on Russia's war effort remains uncertain, with much of the activity seen as symbolic rather than substantive.