In an exclusive interview with a senator and the First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrey DENISOV, New Eastern Outlook touched upon the most pressing issues.
We considered whether BRICS can become a leading power on the planet in the near future and if it exerts significant influence on political and economic processes at the current stage.
The BRICS summit in Kazan was, indeed, a striking, global event at the international level. It is, without doubt, a reflection of the successful Russian foreign policy course, that defeats plans to isolate our country. Frankly speaking, though, I would not fall into a state of triumphalism because of it. The world is, realistically, divided in two when it comes to the question of relations vis-à-vis Russia against the background of the situation in Ukraine. The second group, which is opposed to us, is notable. It consists of – let us consider this – more than 50 countries, which are fundamentally different from the other group, which is not exactly on our side, but is, at least, showing understanding of the roots, origins and direction of our position, which is, first and foremost, dictated by the security interests of Russia. These interests are not figments of the imagination, but are rather realistic.
One group of countries has been harshly disciplined and presents a united position, however the cohort of states opposed to it is in a more amorphous situation. It is exactly for this reason that the fact of the gathering of BRICS member states and invited countries (so-called ‘like-minded’ states) at the BRICS summit and presenting a united position is so valuable. Positions were united on global problems that concern, so to say, all of humanity. This is, in my opinion, the main meaning of the BRICS summit.
As for the approaching fall of the unipolar world order, as you put it…I would say that the terms ‘fall’ and ‘approaching’ are premature.
The paradox is that we are not interested in the fall of this unipolar world order; we are interested in its transformation, a transformation that would not harm any of the participants of this process from either side. We are trying to prove to our opponents in the West that we are not against them being part of the international community…
– Who do you mean when you say ‘we’?
By ‘we’ I mean Russia and other countries with similar views and positions. We are not anti-Western; we are just not the West. The first person to say that BRICS is not anti-Western, but simply not the West and views current world problems from a different, but more correct and realistic angle, was Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Those who are losing their position as hegemon on the world stage, i.e. our Western opponents, are showing impatience, trying to dig in and resist, although our plans (here I am again talking not only about Russia, but also about the countries that look at the world from our perspective) do not, in fact, entail any aggressiveness in and of themselves. We are not going to fight with anyone. We are not going to teach anyone. We are not going to subjugate anyone to our own vector. We are not going to forcibly transform anyone. We do not impose any ways that, in our opinion, are more correct than those followed by other countries in their political and governmental structure in defining the foundations of their policies and so on. Therefore, our position seems more promising to me.
However, I would not say that all this will come true in a snap of a finger, as they say. This will likely not happen. It is quite a long process, so one needs to be patient and persevere. Events that disrupt the smooth flow of the dynamics of the modern world are constantly taking place around the globe.
– Let us return to the last bit of my question. Will BRICS be able to become a leading power on the planet in the near future and exert considerable influence on political and economic processes?
– I would divide your question into two parts. Firstly, is BRICS capable of becoming a leading force on the planet in the near future? I do not think so, not yet. By the way, it does not aim to do so and certainly not in the near future. But… (and here is a big BUT!) “it significantly impacts political and economic processes”. Here – yes! It is already exerting very significant influence on political and, even more so, on economic processes, because the centre of the economic dynamics of the modern world is being shifted to this region.
India is showing the largest, highest and most stable growth rates, although they are slightly lower than forecasted. The Central Bank of India projected more than 7% for 2024, but has now lowered its forecast to 6.5%, which is, nevertheless, a fairly high rate. China is showing economic growth at about 5%. China alone accounts for about a third of the annual growth of the entire global economy. And if one counts it together with India? It becomes a completely different figure. Russia is developing quite steadily this year, even despite sanctions.
– Here we are speaking about the economy…
– As for politics, the picture is even clearer. I stated previously that the opposing camp includes a little more than fifty countries. Approximately 150 other countries remain, including the most populated and largest ones (India, China, Brazil). Therefore, yes, we are already exerting significant influence.
As for the leading force on the planet…We probably will not become one in the near future and we are not striving to do so. Do you see what the issue is here? If there is a leading force, then there must be wingmen, but we are in favour of equality and taking into account the opinions of all. If the process of the transition of the modern world (in the direction that seems right to us) is smooth and conflict-free (it is quite difficult to hope for this, but we would really like it to be so), it will be better for all.
To be continued…
Interview by Yulia NOVITSKAYA, writer and correspondent for “New Eastern Outlook”
