Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to participate in a virtual summit of the BRICS group of nations on November 21 to address the Israel-Hamas conflict. The summit, chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to formulate a collective response to the ongoing six-week conflict in Gaza.
The Kremlin announced Putin’s involvement in the extraordinary BRICS summit via videoconference, providing no further details on the agenda. Apart from Russia, the BRICS group comprises Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
South Africa revealed that United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also join the virtual meeting, with expectations for a concluding joint statement. Given Russia’s historical ties with both Israel and the Palestinians, Putin has expressed the potential for Russia to play a mediating role in the conflict. He has criticized the West for perceived contributions to regional tensions and Israel for its actions during the conflict.
The BRICS summit follows the recent failure of APEC group leaders, including China and the United States, to reach a consensus on a unified response to the ongoing war. The virtual gathering underscores the global concern and diplomatic efforts to address the escalating situation in the Middle East.
