UN Chief Guterres Arrives in Russia for BRICS Summit Amid Criticism from Ukraine

[Social Media]

 

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in Russia on Wednesday to attend the BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to the country in over two years. This trip has sparked sharp criticism from Ukraine, particularly as Guterres is set to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The Kremlin has confirmed that the discussions will focus on the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

A warm welcome! UN Secretary-General António Guterres enjoys traditional Russian hospitality at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, sampling 'karavai' and 'chak-chak'. 🌍🍞 #BRICS2024 #Guterres pic.twitter.com/EQXgDQBFKn

— Maria Butina (@Maria_Butina) October 23, 2024

 

Kyiv expressed its disapproval of the UN chief’s visit, pointing out Guterres' decision to skip Ukraine's invitation to a Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Ukraine’s foreign ministry condemned the visit on social media, stating, "The UN Secretary General declined Ukraine's invitation to the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. He did, however, accept the invitation to Kazan from war criminal Putin," referring to the Russian president.

 

In response, Guterres' spokesperson defended the trip, explaining that his attendance was part of the UN chief’s regular engagement with international organizations that include large, influential member states. The spokesperson also noted that the visit provided an opportunity for Guterres to "reaffirm his well-known positions" on the Ukraine conflict and stress "the conditions for just peace."

 

This visit comes amid heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine and the international community's divided response to Russia's actions. Guterres' participation in the BRICS Summit is seen as a continuation of his efforts to maintain dialogue with all key players on the world stage, even as some question the optics of his engagement with the Russian government during a time of conflict.

 

Based on a report from AFP | X 2024-10-23

 

 

 

[Gweiloman]

Ukraine’s leaders are just getting more and more pathetic by the day. Shame there isn’t a single adult among them. 

[still kicking]

8 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Ukraine’s leaders are just getting more and more pathetic by the day. Shame there isn’t a single adult among them. 

You still in Russia or in Phuket comrade?

[Gweiloman]

6 hours ago, still kicking said:

You still in Russia or in Phuket comrade?

In Chiang Mai, comrade, enjoying the cooling weather. At my age, I can’t stand the bitter European winters any more. Can’t imagine what it must be like for those who can’t afford heating, especially now that gas and oil prices are so much more expensive than before the pipeline got blown up.

[jayceenik]

Long live Russia!

Long live Putin!

Hurray for the BRICS++

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gweiloman]

17 minutes ago, jayceenik said:

Long live Russia!

Long live Putin!

Hurray for the BRICS++

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guterres obviously sees that the global sphere of influence is changing towards the BRICS countries which represents the global majority, hence his presence. 
 

The Swiss summit on the other hand was a joke and some attendees didn’t even bother to sign the communique.

[thaibeachlovers]

17 hours ago, Social Media said:

This trip has sparked sharp criticism from Ukraine, particularly as Guterres is set to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Boo hoo. Guterres is secretary general for all UN members, not just the ones Zelensky approves of.

Despite Zelensky thinking himself important he's just one leader of all the countries in the world.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, still kicking said:

You still in Russia or in Phuket comrade?

We used to say things like that when I was in primary school. I'm a bit surprised to see such on a forum for grown ups.

[thaibeachlovers]

17 hours ago, Social Media said:

In response, Guterres' spokesperson defended the trip, explaining that his attendance was part of the UN chief’s regular engagement with international organizations that include large, influential member states.

Why does he think Guterres needs defending? He is doing his job and Zelensky can lump it. Just because the US and Euro countries are giving Zelensky loadsacash doesn't make him important.

[Gweiloman]

15 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Boo hoo. Guterres is secretary general for all UN members, not just the ones Zelensky approves of.

Despite Zelensky thinking himself important he's just one leader of all the countries in the world.

Unelected leader, some might say.

[candide]

The forest hiding the small tree.... eh eh!

 

BRICS+ around 30% of world GDP (2023).

Russia around 2.25% of world GDP (2023)! 🤣

 

https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/#google_vignette

[Gweiloman]

1 hour ago, candide said:

The forest hiding the small tree.... eh eh!

 

BRICS+ around 30% of world GDP (2023).

Russia around 2.25% of world GDP (2023)! 🤣

 

https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/#google_vignette

Not too bad considering that until recently, it was still a communist country. The GDP is forecasted to grow 3.8% this year which is multiple multiple times more than than that of the G7 countries excluding USA. Germany forecasted contraction of 0.1% ie -0.1% and USA 2.8%. These are IMF figures, in case you’re wondering.

 

In any case, the GDP of individual countries in BRICS and BRICS+ is irrelevant. Russia is imperative to BRICS as it has massive primary resources that are needed by developing nations, one of the reasons these countries are queuing up to join. Very soon, they will also be in control of that $1 trillion worth of resources in one of their newly annexed oblasts.

 

The future is looking very bright for BRICS.

[candide]

1 hour ago, Gweiloman said:

Not too bad considering that until recently, it was still a communist country. The GDP is forecasted to grow 3.8% this year which is multiple multiple times more than than that of the G7 countries excluding USA. Germany forecasted contraction of 0.1% ie -0.1% and USA 2.8%. These are IMF figures, in case you’re wondering.

 

In any case, the GDP of individual countries in BRICS and BRICS+ is irrelevant. Russia is imperative to BRICS as it has massive primary resources that are needed by developing nations, one of the reasons these countries are queuing up to join. Very soon, they will also be in control of that $1 trillion worth of resources in one of their newly annexed oblasts.

 

The future is looking very bright for BRICS.

Well, only 30 years passed since it stopped being  communist! 😀

 

There's no particular trade deal between BRICS members. There's no need to be part of it to import anything from any of its members.

 

As to Russia's GDP growth, it is fueled by military expenses. Oh and there was no growth between 2012 and 2021 Thanks to Putin's incompetent management.

 

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/RUS/russia/gdp-gross-domestic-product

[Gweiloman]

17 hours ago, candide said:

Well, only 30 years passed since it stopped being  communist! 😀

 

There's no particular trade deal between BRICS members. There's no need to be part of it to import anything from any of its members.

 

As to Russia's GDP growth, it is fueled by military expenses. Oh and there was no growth between 2012 and 2021 Thanks to Putin's incompetent management.

 

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/RUS/russia/gdp-gross-domestic-product

It’s early days for BRICS so no one can really be sure how it will play out. But the removal of geopolitical and currency risks, unilateral sanctions and ability to trade without using the USD or Swift is invaluable to countries that don’t bend the knee. It is also almost certain that members will enjoy discounted prices.

 

Not much growth in GDP but at least it never went negative like some other G7 countries.