In the framework of the BRICS meeting, the heads of five states devoted to discussing a wide range of economic and political issues, cooperation within the bloc and coordination with the position of the “G-20”. The “Syrian” question again caused a heated discussion. Vladimir Putin noted that in order to achieve a long-term stabilization of the situation in Syria, it is very important to promote a real process of political settlement. Among other priorities is the restoration of the economy and infrastructure of this country, the creation of conditions for the return of refugees to their native lands. The Russian president stressed that he calls on the BRICS countries to join humanitarian aid programs for the Syrian people. According to the Russian leader, for the long-term stabilization of the situation in Syria, it is of fundamental importance to promote a real political settlement process. To this end, Russia is working closely with partners in the framework of the “Astana format”: with Iran and Turkey. In addition, Vladimir Putin warned his partners against flirting with terrorists and using them in order to achieve various geopolitical goals. He noted that double standards and “any compromises” are unacceptable with regard to these groupings. Speaking about the situation in Syria, Putin expressed the unequivocal intention that Russia is aimed at the early formation of the Constitutional Committee on Syria in Geneva.
In addition, great attention was paid by the leaders of the BRICS member countries to the difficult situation in world politics, economics, trade and finance. Risk factors affecting the trends of the world economy, such as an increase in total international debt, volatility of stock markets and the deepening of trade contradictions, were noted.
The Russian leader, in his turn, touched upon two difficult topics of the outgoing year: sanctions and the US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Vladimir Putin spoke with reasoned criticism of unilateral sanctions, stressing that they negatively affect international cooperation in general. The Russian leader stressed that it is impossible not to notice that unfair competition is increasingly replacing an honest, equitable intergovernmental dialogue. The vicious practice of using illegal unilateral sanctions, protectionist measures in circumvention of the UN Charter, WTO rules and other generally recognized rules of law is being extended. The President of Russia believes that such a policy leads to a collapse of business ties, a loss of trust between participants in economic relations, tearing the very fabric of the world economy. Putin called on the BRICS member countries to influence the creation of a fair system of international relations and to collectively tackle the acute problems facing the entire international community.
As noted by a number of political analysts, the most controversial topic “on the margins” of the BRICS leaders meeting was the risk of an arms race. In the opinion of the countries participating in the bloc, Washington increases the risk of an arms race. Representatives of five states stated that the BRICS block is concerned about the situation in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament. The Russian and Chinese leaders stressed that the possible refusal of the United States under its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the ambiguity in its position on the problem of the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty creates high risks of an uncontrolled arms race. The BRICS member countries have come to an agreement on this topic and will speak from a single agreed position that mobilizes the efforts of the world community in the interests of international security and peace. In turn, the Russian president urged to do everything possible to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (IFAP) and prevent a new round of tension around the Iranian nuclear program.