BRICS Summit Convenes in Brazil Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Key Absences

6 July, 2025

The BRICS summit has commenced in Rio de Janeiro with a cautious agenda, reportedly to avoid provoking the Trump administration. The bloc's cohesion is being tested by the absence of China's Xi Jinping and the virtual-only attendance of Russia's Vladimir Putin. Host Brazil is focusing discussions on less contentious issues like AI governance, climate change, and global health. The summit aims to advance institutional development for the newly expanded group while navigating complex geopolitical issues, including the war in Gaza.

Unpacked:

Why are China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin not attending the summit in person?

Xi Jinping's absence and Vladimir Putin's virtual-only participation reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions and possibly domestic priorities. Putin’s remote attendance aligns with travel limitations due to international sanctions and legal risks, while Xi’s absence could signal a focus on internal matters or a cautious approach to international engagement given current global dynamics.

What does the expansion of BRICS mean for the group’s goals and influence?

The recent expansion of BRICS, which now includes more member and partner nations, is aimed at enhancing the bloc’s global influence and strengthening South-South cooperation. This broader membership could help BRICS push for more inclusive and sustainable governance, although it also introduces greater diversity of interests, making consensus more complex.

How is the BRICS summit addressing contentious geopolitical issues like the war in Gaza?

The summit is deliberately focusing on less contentious topics such as AI governance, climate change, and global health to avoid divisions and not provoke powerful countries like the United States. While complex issues like the war in Gaza may be discussed, they are not the main agenda, reflecting the bloc’s cautious diplomatic approach this year.

What role does Brazil play as host of this year’s BRICS summit?

Brazil, under President Lula da Silva, is steering the summit towards consensus-building on global health, climate, and technology governance. As host, Brazil aims to showcase leadership in the Global South and strengthen the bloc’s institutional development, while carefully navigating internal differences and external geopolitical pressures.

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