Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed preparations for the BRICS summit and the Ukrainian crisis in a phone call with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira on October 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"During the conversation, preparations for the upcoming 16th BRICS summit in Kazan on October 22-24, and certain aspects of the association's activities were discussed in detail. The issue of the Ukrainian crisis was also touched upon," the ministry said.
BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotational BRICS chairmanship on January 1, 2024. The year began with the accession of new members to the association - in addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE. According to the Saudi Press Agency, in the summer of 2024, Saudi Arabia participated in BRICS as a country invited to the organization.
Russia's BRICS presidency focuses on strengthening multilateralism for fair global development and security. As part of its presidency, Russia is organizing more than 200 political, economic and social events.