Putin Anticipates Xi Jinping's Presence At BRICS Summit Amid Strengthened Russia-China Ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24.

This announcement was made during a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, as reported by Firstpost.

Putin Anticipates Xi Jinping's Presence at BRICS

The BRICS group-comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-represents nearly half of the world's population. Over recent years, the group has expanded its reach to include other significant emerging economies, such as the United Arab Emirates and Iran. The forthcoming summit is seen by Moscow as an opportunity to enhance its influence and strengthen economic ties within the bloc, as per tass media reports.

Putin has increasingly turned to China for support amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the resulting economic sanctions imposed on Russia by Western nations. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Russia and China have significantly ramped up their trade relations, achieving record highs. This partnership has been crucial for Russia as it faces international economic isolation.

The Kremlin's anticipation of Xi Jinping's participation highlights the deepening ties between Moscow and Beijing. Both nations have voiced strong opposition to what they perceive as Western dominance, particularly U.S. hegemony in global affairs. Prior to Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing had declared a "no limits" partnership, underscoring their alignment against Western influence, as per media reports.

Last month, President Putin noted the positive outcomes of Russia's economic and trade engagements with China, further solidified by the visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang to the Kremlin. As the BRICS summit approaches, the presence of Xi Jinping is expected to underscore the growing strategic and economic collaboration between the two countries, signaling a continued pivot towards strengthening ties amidst global geopolitical shifts.