Western Proposition of Russia's Isolation is Attempt to Maintain Dominance, Says Egyptian Expert

The recent BRICS Summit, held in Russia's Kazan, demonstrated the contrary of the West's claims of Russia's isolation, Dr. Haitham Omran, a Lecturer of Political Science and International Law at Suez University, Egypt, asserted in an interview with Sputnik Africa.

He believes that the West's continued proposition of Russia's isolation reflects the manifestation of a broader strategy in dealing with geopolitical shifts and trying to maintain a dominant position.

"The continued talk of isolation of Russia aims to increase political and diplomatic pressure, and try to show that there is a kind of global consensus against Russian policies," the academician explained, noting that one of the reasons of the West's continued claims of Russia's isolation is the Ukrainian crisis.

Dr. Omran also highlighted the Western strategy of influencing world public opinion by portraying Russia as isolated. "The aim of exerting this pressure is therefore to reduce international support for Russia and try to encourage other countries to distance themselves from it economically and politically," he said.

Opinion

Despite Sanctions, Everything is Developing in Russia, Guinean Deputy Says

27 October, 10:53

The expert further emphasized the role of BRICS and other groupings with Russian participation, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as alternative frameworks to the Western-dominated global order.

"Underestimating the importance [of platforms such as BRICS] in Western discourse comes from the standpoint of competing with those frameworks, and therefore portraying Russia as an isolated country serves the idea that participation in these frameworks does not give full legitimacy or international sympathy," he argued.

Egypt's BRICS Membership Strengthens Ties With Russia

Dr. Omran believes that the North African country's participation in the 16th BRICS Summit as a full member for the first time marks a crucial step in deepening bilateral cooperation between Cairo and Moscow, especially in areas such as energy and agriculture.

"[Egyptian President Abdel Fattah] el-Sisi's statements on BRICS' achievements in trade, especially between Egypt and Russia, reflect the deepening of the economic partnership between the two countries despite increasing global pressures such as Western sanctions on Russia and geopolitical disputes," Dr. Omran told Sputnik Africa.

He emphasized the potential benefits for both countries, saying that cooperation between Egypt and Russia offers Egypt great opportunities, especially in areas such as energy and agriculture, as Egypt imports wheat from Russia. On the other hand, Russia can use this cooperation to search for new markets to offset the impact of Western sanctions.

Opinion

BRICS Offers More Progressive World Order, South African Expert Says

26 October, 19:05

Dr. Omran also pointed to the potential for expanding collaboration in infrastructure and energy projects.

"Cooperation here may not only be limited to Egypt and Russia but could encourage other BRICS countries to expand their trade ties with the two countries. This will reinforce Egypt's importance as a bridge for cooperation between Russia and Middle Eastern countries," added the Egyptian academician.

BRICS Can Foster an 'Alternative Economic Network'

Dr. Omran sees the BRICS summit as a catalyst for a more multipolar world, potentially accelerating economic growth within the bloc and offering Africa new partnerships.

He emphasized the BRICS countries' unique approach to Africa, highlighting Russia’s unconditional policies in contrast to Western countries as a positive example.

"Russia, for example, provides aid and investment without human rights or governance conditions, thus making it a preferred partner for many African countries that may feel pressured or pressured by Western conditions," Dr. Omran said.

The expert also underscored that Russia's historical absence of colonialism in Africa makes it a more attractive partner for many African nations. "By contrast, Western countries as a whole basically mean the domination of African states, and therefore the vision of the colonizer is still present in the African mentality and always present with regard to Western-African relations," he said.

Opinion

BRICS Summit: Nigerian Professor Gives African Perspective

27 October, 14:12

He also believes that BRICS can contribute to stability in conflict-affected areas, further enhancing its attractiveness to African nations.

Speaking on Egypt's participation in the summit as a member for the first time and the broader trend of African nations' willingness to join BRICS, Dr. Omran noted a growing global rejection of the current international order.

"Countries of the world are basically starting to reject the existence of an international power or units that control the destinies of countries in one way or another politically and economically," he said, adding that many countries no longer view the current international system as effective, as evidenced by its failure to address numerous political, economic, and military crises.