Moscow, 21 November 2023 (TDI): President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, will participate in a joint virtual summit of the BRICS group of nations on Tuesday to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict and war in Gaza, in a statement revealed by the Kremlin on Monday.
In addition to Russia, the BRICS group includes Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
Moreover, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, will chair the video summit with BRICS leaders to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and Gaza.
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, which were all invited to join the BRICS group in August, will join the online meeting on Tuesday, a statement by the South African Presidency stated.
According to a statement released by the Kremlin, “On Nov. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in an extraordinary BRICS summit (via videoconference) to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.” However, no further details have been provided.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also participate in the virtual meeting. The meeting is expected to end with a joint statement.
Putin did not take part in the previous BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa in August 2023 in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that started in February 2022. Subject to an International Criminal Court arrest Warrant, the Foreign Minister of Russia attended the summit instead.
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Additionally, Russia has maintained historically close ties with both Israel and the Palestinians, and Putin has said Russia could play a mediating role.
He has criticized the West for allegedly stoking tensions in the region and Israel for its conduct in the conflict.
Days before the meeting, leaders of the APEC group which comprises China and the US were unable to reach a consensus on a coordinated response to the conflict.
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