Putin to meet leaders from bloc of countries that have not condemned his invasion of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, on Feb. 4, 2022. The two countries announced a “no limits” partnership prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though Beijing has tried to position itself further away from Russia than portrayed after Xi and Putin met.

Since launching an unprovoked war on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not participated in a major international meeting.

The war is almost over and Putin is going to meet fellow leaders at their annual summit which is being hosted by China.

The initial summit meeting of the group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa took place in Russia in 2009. The group sees itself as a voice for the poor.

The members did not condemn Russia's invasion. Despite international sanctions on Moscow, China and India have increased their trade with Russia.

At the 14th annual meeting of the group, Putin is expected to call for the establishment of oil and gas refining facilities with Russia. Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov was quoted as saying that this would help reduce the bloc's dependence on energy supplies from unreliable partners.

Russia wants to move away from the dollar in order to gain U.S. dominance. Such a move has been discussed in the past.

The Russian finance minister warned that sanctions could cause a food crisis. The economic situation needs to be fixed, he said. According to a Russian news magazine, Siluanov told the group to avoid using the U.S. dollar in trade settlements.

Xi may pitch alternative global order

At a forum in April, the Chinese President introduced his signature Global Security Initiative, which he is likely to seek support for. The main premise of the GSI is that it's counter productive to seek absolute security. It doesn't like the idea of national security being built on the basis of security in other countries.

GSI might have a supporter in Putin, who was in Beijing before the invasion of Ukraine. China and Russia signed a 5,000-word partnership in order to challenge the U.S.'s domination of the world.

India would object to a China-led framework. India is in a bind because of its dependence on Russian arms and its growing ideological and political ties to the U.S.

The contrast between India and China was better.

India and China have differing views on the war in Ukraine. India, a democracy, is locked in a standoff with China on its land border. Both India and China have long disputed borders.

India is dependent on Russian arms. Most of India's defense equipment is Russian made, according to estimates. India is the linchpin of the U.S.'s strategy to counter China in the Asia-Pacific.

India's relationship with Russia is being affected by the China- Russia relationship. India is an important member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and Russia is upset about it.

The U.S., Australia and Japan are members of the Informal Security grouping Quad. The group was called an "Asian NATO" by Beijing.

India's relationship with Russia will weaken as a result of Russia's relationship with China. In the short term, India has to manage Russia.