Both Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel have canceled their attendance at the BRICS summit hosted by President Putin in Russia due to health and energy crises, respectively. The summit aims to showcase the group’s influence amid Russia’s international isolation, with recent expansions including new member countries. Cuba has also expressed interest in joining BRICS officially.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel have both withdrawn from attending the forthcoming BRICS summit hosted in Russia by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov stated, “Regrettably, as it became known today, President of Brazil Lula da Silva and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel will not be able to come due to unforeseen circumstances,” as reported by Russian state media on October 21. President Lula, aged 78, is expected to participate via videoconference due to a minor brain hemorrhage he sustained from a fall at his residence over the weekend. Meanwhile, President Diaz-Canel is reportedly facing serious energy challenges, as detailed by Russian state media. The BRICS group, comprising Russia, China, India, Brazil, and other nations, is often characterized as a coalition of emerging economies that serves as a balance against Western hegemony. Recently, the group has welcomed four new members—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—marking its first expansion since December 2010, when South Africa joined. Cuba has expressed an interest in joining BRICS as a “partner country,” with an official request directed to President Putin, as confirmed by a Cuban Foreign Ministry official on October 8. In light of Russia’s increasing diplomatic isolation and its attempts to forge alliances with nations like North Korea, the Kremlin views this summit as an opportunity to assert its global influence and send a powerful message to Western countries. The three-day summit, which began on October 22, has been described by the Kremlin as one of the largest-scale foreign policy events ever hosted in Russia.
The BRICS summit is a significant event that attracts leaders from major emerging economies. With Brazil and Cuba’s unexpected withdrawal, the dynamic of the summit is altered, raising questions about the implications for the group’s unity and collective strategy. President Putin is hosting this summit amidst a complex backdrop of international relations where Russia seeks to enhance its standing, particularly after facing sanctions and isolation from Western nations. The inclusion of new member states and Cuba’s aspirations to join BRICS highlight the group’s intent to solidify its framework as a counterweight to Western influence. Brazil’s leadership is crucial, and Lula’s health concerns bring attention to the personal challenges faced by world leaders.
The cancellation of attendance by President Lula da Silva and President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the BRICS summit presents notable challenges and highlights the unforeseen circumstances that can affect international diplomacy. As BRICS seeks to solidify its role as a counterbalance to Western powers, the withdrawal of key leaders may impact the discussions and outcomes of this pivotal meeting. Nevertheless, the summit remains an essential fixture in demonstrating the coalition’s collective strength and the ongoing aspirations of member states to expand their influence on the global stage.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
