The 15th edition of the BRICS summit kicks off today in South Africa, an acronym composed of the initials of the countries that make up the alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) made up of former emerging economies, which today aim to create a block that can oppose the G7, balancing the influence of the West. The main summit is held in Johannesburg, it will last three days (23-25 August), but the meetings already started yesterday with the "BRICS Business Forum".

Russian President Vladimir Putin intervened yesterday with a 17-minute pre-recorded video speech, in which he declared that the "de-dollarization" of economic ties between the BRICS countries is an "irreversible process", attacking the economic sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow over the military invasion of Ukraine. He then added that he is ready to return to the agreements on wheat, only if the obligations towards Russia are also respected.

From the meeting between Xi Jinping and Cyril Ramaphosa, presidents of China and South Africa respectively, it emerged that "dialogue and negotiation are the only viable option to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and they will continue to promote peace talks and carry out a constructive role in the political resolution of the issue".

The BRICS block, founded in 2009, is home to 40% of the world's population and is responsible for more than 30% of global economic output. More than 20 States have reportedly asked to join this alliance: including Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also be present at the summit today.