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24 de sept. de 2025 Russia’s ties to its fellow BRICS members China and India have allowed the regime to weather the Western sanctions campaign. But U.S. sanctions on Russia still affect The BRICS countriesor BRICS, since the original grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa has since further expanded to include four more A warming of relations between China and India could generate more momentum for Brics to deliver on its ambitious agenda to develop, and ultimately implement, a Turkey’s rapprochement with BRICS benefits Brazil and India, both eager to prevent Russia and China from framing the bloc as an anti-Western coalition. Like Delhi and China's and Russia's clout is increasing in Africa, as resentment builds towards Western nations. So, despite what Russia may want, it’s unlikely that BRICS will assume a confrontational stance toward the West. China knows that a non-confrontational approach is While BRICS must be taken seriously, it would be wrong to interpret it as one pole of a two-sided geopolitical competition between China and Russia and the West. The allure of Brics, which originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, lies not just in its economic potential but in its challenge to the Western The economic bloc has embraced an attempt to challenge the global power balance. Yet, there is a reality in which Russia and China’s BRICS could fail in competition

Why Russia and China's BRICS May Fail in Competition with the West

The economic bloc has embraced an attempt to challenge the global power balance. Yet, there is a reality in which Russia and China’s BRICS could fail in competition with the West. While BRICS must be taken seriously, it would be wrong to interpret it as one pole of a two-sided geopolitical competition between China and Russia and the West. The allure of Brics, which originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, lies not just in its economic potential but in its challenge to the Western-dominated global order.

Despite the ambitious goals and recent expansion, significant challenges remain that could hinder BRICS' ability to effectively compete with established Western powers.

Internal Divisions and Conflicting Interests

The diverse membership of BRICS presents a complex web of national interests. Turkey’s rapprochement with BRICS benefits Brazil and India, both eager to prevent Russia and China from framing the bloc as an anti-Western coalition. While China and Russia share a desire to reshape the international landscape, countries like India and Brazil maintain strong ties with the West and are wary of aligning too closely with an anti-Western agenda. Indeed, so, despite what Russia may want, it’s unlikely that BRICS will assume a confrontational stance toward the West. China knows that a non-confrontational approach is generally more beneficial for its own economic goals.

A warming of relations between China and India could generate more momentum for Brics to deliver on its ambitious agenda to develop, and ultimately implement, meaningful reforms to global governance. However, historical tensions and ongoing border disputes between these two giants remain a potential source of friction, potentially slowing down the bloc's progress.

The Impact of Western Sanctions on Russia

Russia’s ties to its fellow BRICS members China and India have allowed the regime to weather the Western sanctions campaign, to some extent. But U.S. sanctions on Russia still affect the BRICS countries. These sanctions limit Russia's ability to fully participate in BRICS initiatives and potentially discourage other members from deepening their economic ties with Russia for fear of secondary sanctions.

The ongoing war in Ukraine and the associated sanctions have also diverted Russia's attention and resources, potentially diminishing its capacity to contribute meaningfully to BRICS' development agenda. Mark your calendar: 24 de sept. de 2025 could potentially be a date on which the effects of the war are significantly different. Whether for good or bad, only time will tell.

Economic Disparities and Development Gaps

The BRICS nations exhibit significant economic disparities. While China and India are major economic powerhouses, other members, such as South Africa and Brazil, face their own economic challenges. These disparities can create imbalances within the bloc and make it difficult to forge a unified economic strategy.

Furthermore, the development gap between BRICS nations and developed Western economies remains substantial. Overcoming this gap requires significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and education, which can be a slow and challenging process.

Western Influence and Alliances

Despite growing resentment towards Western nations, many countries in the Global South, including some BRICS members, maintain strong economic and political ties with the West. These relationships provide access to markets, technology, and investment that are crucial for their development.

While China's and Russia's clout is increasing in Africa, Western nations continue to wield considerable influence through aid, trade, and security partnerships. This entrenched influence makes it difficult for BRICS to displace the West as the dominant force in global affairs.

Conclusion

While BRICS represents a significant force in the global landscape and offers a potential alternative to the Western-dominated order, internal divisions, the impact of sanctions on Russia, economic disparities, and the enduring influence of the West pose significant challenges. Overcoming these obstacles will be crucial if BRICS is to succeed in its ambition to reshape the global power balance.

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