BRICS summit: Expansion, impact of the war in Ukraine high on the agenda
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00:00 As Johannesburg prepares to welcome world leaders to the BRICS summit on Tuesday, the
00:06 spotlight is on South Africa's relationship to the Kremlin.
00:10 The member states of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa position themselves
00:15 as a counterbalance to Western powers.
00:18 None of the member countries have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
00:23 "Together the BRICS members have used their collective voice to call for a world that
00:30 is more equitable, balanced and governed by an inclusive system of global governance.
00:37 We will not be drawn into a contest between global powers."
00:44 The theme of the 15th summit is BRICS and Africa - this as both Russia and the West
00:49 seek to expand their influence on the continent.
00:53 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will be attending on President Vladimir Putin's
00:57 behalf.
00:58 The Russian leader is subject to an international arrest warrant.
01:02 Some 50 other leaders will be attending the summit as well, which will also address possible
01:07 expansion.
01:09 At least 40 countries are interested in joining the group and dozens have already submitted
01:14 applications - including Nigeria, Ethiopia and Egypt.
01:18 "In this current geopolitical landscape where the West is seeking to isolate Russia, it's
01:26 become very important for Russia to expand its linkages with the BRICS countries but
01:33 also their various regions.
01:35 So because of the current conditions BRICS has actually become even more important for
01:41 Russia."
01:42 Even without the additional members, the BRICS are already a force to be reckoned with - a
01:47 accounting for a quarter of the global economy.