KAZAN, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Wednesday, cautioning against “illusory” attempts to defeat Russia on the battlefield, as he prepared for his first meeting in over two years with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, focusing on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking on the final day of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Putin said, “Russia’s opponents do not conceal their aim to deal our country a strategic defeat. These are illusory calculations, made only by those who do not know Russia’s history.”
The BRICS summit, which Moscow hopes will solidify support from emerging economies against Western powers, also saw Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders discuss global challenges. President Xi emphasized the importance of peace, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the conflict spreading in Lebanon. He highlighted BRICS’ potential role as a “stabilizing force for peace.”
Putin echoed concerns about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, stating that the region was “on the verge of full-scale war.”
The Russian President’s remarks came shortly after Russia’s lower house of parliament ratified a defense treaty with North Korea, amid reports that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to Russia for training and possible deployment in Ukraine.
The BRICS summit drew attention to the international calls for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, which has dragged on since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. UN chief Guterres has been a vocal critic of Moscow’s military campaign, and his upcoming meeting with Putin is expected to center around efforts to bring peace to the region. This will be the first time the two have met since Russia’s siege of Mariupol in 2022.
Guterres, who helped broker a grain export deal between Ukraine and Russia in 2022, has repeatedly condemned Moscow’s annexation of Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials have criticized the UN leader’s decision to meet with Putin, with Kyiv’s foreign ministry calling the engagement “unjustified” and labeling Putin a “criminal.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. has accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to Russia for training, though Russia has yet to confirm the reports. “We don’t know what their mission will be or if they’ll go on to fight in Ukraine,” a U.S. official said.
As Moscow continues to pursue its military objectives, Putin’s government has drawn closer to Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised Putin, calling him his country’s “dearest friend.” Western nations have accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine, a charge both nations have denied.
Several BRICS leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, have called for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Modi, who has sought to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv, said he supports efforts to quickly restore peace and stability. New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict, providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine while avoiding direct criticism of Russia.
BRICS, which initially began in 2009 with four members—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—has since expanded to include several emerging nations, including South Africa, Egypt, and Iran, reflecting its growing influence on the global stage.