In a startling twist at this year’s BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, the absence of founding members Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has sent shockwaves through the global political landscape. Their no-shows, interpreted as a significant snub, raise pressing questions about the future of the BRICS alliance and its stance against Western dominance.

As the summit unfolded, countries aligned with BRICS vehemently condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating tariff threats, which they claim jeopardize global trade. While the BRICS declaration refrained from naming Trump directly, his retaliatory vow of an additional 10% levy on nations adopting BRICS policies looms large over the proceedings. The gathering, which includes key U.S. allies like Brazil and Saudi Arabia, now faces a pivotal moment in its evolution.

Experts suggest that the absence of China and Russia reflects a waning significance of the BRICS platform, even among its core members. Alina Rakova from the Peterson Institute for International Economics highlighted that this absence signals a troubling lack of commitment from the very nations that conceived the alliance. With Putin’s potential ICC arrest warrant hanging over him and Xi seemingly deeming the summit unimportant, the implications are profound.

Furthermore, the fragile economic partnership between Russia and China is under scrutiny. While China has emerged as Russia’s largest trade partner, the relationship is characterized more by opportunism than genuine investment. As Russia’s economy struggles under the weight of sanctions and a faltering oil market, the prospect of Western firms returning remains bleak, further complicating BRICS’ future.

This year’s summit, marked by the conspicuous absence of its most influential leaders, underscores a critical juncture for BRICS. As global tensions rise, the question remains: can the alliance survive without its founding pillars? The world watches closely as this dynamic unfolds.