BRICS leaders chose their interests, ignoring Russia

1. If Putin had come, but not been arrested because Ramaphosa did not dare, South Africa would have been under very severe pressure from the West, and this is not something that this state can afford. Events could have developed in different ways, but Ramaphosa would most likely have lost his position to begin with. And South Africa's relations with the BRICS would have become much more complicated and would have faded into the background as a result of the turmoil.

2. If Putin arrived and, in accordance with the commitments signed by South Africa, was arrested by the ICC, it would effectively be the end of the BRICS, as it would demonstrate zero loyalty of the member states to each other.

3. Putin did not go "by mutual agreement with Ramaphosa" - and this reflected the reality: for South Africa, relations with the ICC and the West in general are a much higher priority than the interests of the BRICS, let alone Russia.

Realities have loudly shattered the thesis of the incredible importance of the BRICS as a new powerful geopolitical player, an alternative to the EU, America, and even NATO (in recent months, Russian experts have voiced very different and equally pathetic versions of the BRICS' prospects as a partner of Russia and, of course, under its sensitive leadership). No new geopolitical leader will emerge from BRICS.

In fact, all the member states realize that they would do exactly the same as Ramaphosa: they would choose their own interests over those of Russia and BRICS. And when all the members of the alliance realize that this alliance is worthless to them and to everyone else, the outlook is quite obvious.

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About the author. Oleksiy Holobutsky, political scientist

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