The 20 countries Putin has invited to Russia to show the world he still has some friends

4 weeks ago 6

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is hosting the BRICS summit in Russia (Image: Getty )

Vladimir Putin is hoping to show the world he still has friends despite the war in Ukraine by welcoming leaders representing around 40% of the global population to Russia.

Putin, whose illegal invasion of his neighbour has dragged on for nearly three years, will meet China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi representing the two most populous nations on the planet.

It's expected around 32 countries will participate in the 2024 BRICS summit held in the Russian city of Kazan for the next three days from today (Tuesday). Putin is expected to host bilateral meetings with 20 nations during the event.

BRICS was first founded in 2009, with the letters symbolising the first members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as a response to perceived Western organisations such as NATO and the G7.

But in recent years the organisation has become something of a tool for the Kremlin to show the world it still has allies despite an international arrest warrant being issued for Putin.

The Russian leader is expected to use the summit to shore up support for his war in Ukraine and to propose an alternative to the US-backed SWIFT banking system to avoid sanctions imposed by the West.

Xi Jinping and Putin

Putin is trying to mount a show of force against NATO and the West (Image: Getty )

Also represented at this year's 16th BRICS summit will be Iran, with new president Masoud Pezeshkian, and Turkey, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who submitted an application for his country to join the grouping in January.

President Erdogan's country is still a member of NATO, but the leader has been outspoken in recent months over Israel's war with Hamas and Hezbollah putting him at odds with Europe, Britain and the US.

Iran has become a staunch ally of Russia during the war in Ukraine supplying Putin with deadly Shahed drones for attacks on Ukrainian civilians in cities and towns.

Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia will also be going to the summit, alongside Azerbaijan and Malaysia.

However, Brazil, a founding member of BRICS, will not be in attendance after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva 'hit his head' during an accident at home.

Putin and a BRICS sign

Putin has invited world leaders to the Russia city of Kazan (Image: Getty )

Fellow South American leader Argentine President Javier Milei withdrew his country from BRICS shortly after taking office in December 2023.

However, more states are still expected in Kazan this week with leaders from Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bolivia, Congo, Thailand, Nicaragua and Laos all expected to attend. Nigeria and Morocco are also said to send representatives.

Alexander Gabuyev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre, said: “The beauty of BRICS is that it doesn’t put too many obligations on you.

“There are not that many strings attached, really, to being part of BRICS. And at the same time, there might be interesting opportunities coming your way, including just having more face time with all of these leaders."