Putin Fosters Diplomatic Ties Amid Conflicts in Pivot to BRICS Nations

At the heart of Russia’s latest diplomatic campaign is President Vladimir V. Putin’s concerted effort to court nations that have either shown support or neutrality towards Moscow’s actions in the ongoing conflicts. The Russian President has been in communication with various officials, including Ajit Doval, the national security adviser of India, in an effort to consolidate a bloc sympathetic towards Russia.

In an unusual move reflecting the changing geopolitical landscape, President Putin briefed the heads of state of China and India on Friday about the ongoing dialogue with the U.S pertaining to peace negotiations over Ukraine. This reflects the Kremlin’s broader strategy to engage with key countries in an increasingly polarized global stage, marked by a growing trade war led by President Trump.

Russian President Putin has ramped up public diplomatic efforts, highlighted by his meeting with President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow earlier this week. The outcome of this encounter led both the U.S and Russia to foreshadow a potential meeting between their leaders to negotiate an end to the Ukrainian conflict, which could be set to take place as early as next week.

In the run-up to these expected negotiations, Putin has seemingly been bolstering international backing for his strategic approach towards the Ukrainian conflict. He is focusing his efforts on nations with significant global or regional influence, that have either aligned themselves with Russia or maintained neutrality within the ongoing conflict.

Notably, on Friday, Putin had telecommunications with President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, although no substantial details of these discussions have been publicly disclosed except broad assertions of deepening collaboration. Furthermore, the Russian leader engaged with an Indian security official and directly communicated with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa the day before.

Over the same period, Putin made contact with the heads of several other nations: Belarus, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan, either via interpersonal communication or phone calls. These encounters highlight Putin’s concerted efforts to engage with nations across the board who might be receptive to Russia’s strategic goals.

Significant members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are these countries who have seen deterioration in their relations with the U.S, especially in trade, since President Trump assumed office again in January. These countries, except Russia which is already under comprehensive American sanctions due to the Ukrainian conflict, have faced Trump’s vocal criticisms and stiff tariffs.

Typically, the enhanced tariffs have been framed by President Trump as penalties for various domestic or perceived policies that did not meet his approval. South Africa has been accused of oppressing its white minority, while Brazil has been told to cease the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is charged with planning an insurrection against the government.

Trump has also threatened to double tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil. Meanwhile, China also faces reproach for allegedly inundating the U.S. market with synthetic opioids, purchasing oil from Russia and Iran, and exploiting the international trade system.

The accusations from the Trump administration have been met with vehement denials from the governments of Brazil, China, India and South Africa, who perceive these criticisms as direct affronts to their sovereignty. In response to President Trump’s threat of an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, contingent on discontinuing the purchase of Russian crude oil, India’s foreign ministry labeled the move ‘unjustified’ and ‘unreasonable’.

The ministry further explicated in a statement that, as a substantial economy, India would employ necessary countermeasures to protect its national interests and economic security. The overt defiance exhibited by the Indian officials was underpinned by their affirmation to proceed with buying Russian oil, thus disregarding Trump’s warnings.

Emerging signs point to an unanticipated outcome of Trump’s economic aggression: a unified front in the diplomatic field among the BRICS nations. If cooperation among these leading development economies deepens, Russia stands to benefit considerably due to its standoff with Western markets that have largely ostracized its economy.

This pattern of heightened cooperation is set to continue, with President Xi of China set to host Indian Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin at a regional summit later in August. The meeting will mark the rare convergence of heads of state from competing Asian powers.

India extended its diplomatic overtures, announcing this week in Moscow that President Putin is set to visit India later in the year. Demonstrating a rekindling of old ties, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva journeyed to Moscow in May – his inaugural visit in 15 years – to attend a military parade.