At BRICS summit, why Vladimir Putin went on diplomatic blitz with Global South leaders

Over the past two weeks, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin staged a major diplomatic blitz. Across three events in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East and New Delhi, India, as well as a state visit by Vietnam’s leader, he met with some 18 heads of state.

Among them were the leaders of heavyweights of the Global South such as China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia and Turkey, just to name a few.

The Ukraine war certainly featured in these conversations. Russia has recently ramped up its attacks on Ukraine, further fuelling some fears in the West that Ukraine could end up losing the war.

Tellingly, however, the main thrust of discussions led by the Russian president had a different focus: fuel, trade and transit.

Here’s why Russia is deepening ties with many partners in the Global South – and what these meetings tell us about the impacts of Western efforts to isolate Putin.

Shoring up fuel and energy

Fuel and energy security is becoming a mutual concern for both Moscow and its partners in the Global South. Ukraine’s deliberate offensive campaign targeting Russia’s oil refining capacity has resulted in noticeable fuel shortages in the country.

It has forced the Russian government to import refined fuel from countries it has traditionally exported to, such as Belarus, Turkey and India.

At the same time, the Kremlin continues to push for the expansion of its energy...

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