For all the high hopes, Brics is neither united nor effective

The event will be yet another opportunity for Russian President Vladimir Putin to show that he might be isolated from the West, but not from the rest of the world. But what will the meeting in the capital of Russia’s Tatarstan region mean for the intergovernmental organisation itself?

For realists, Brics resembles a gathering of five or more individuals sitting in front of a convenience store, engaged in discussions about politics and life over a few drinks.

The decisions and declarations Brics leaders adopt at their summits have little to no impact on developments in the global arena. Undoubtedly, their rhetoric of solidarity, democracy, openness and spirit of mutual respect sounds attractive to nations that feel oppressed in the Western-dominated order, or believe they should play a more important role on the world stage.