BRICS Leaders Convene Virtually to Address Gaza Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in a virtual BRICS summit to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, along with leaders from Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. The meeting, chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to develop a collective response to the conflict. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also participate, and a joint statement is expected to be issued at the end of the summit. Putin has expressed Russia's willingness to mediate in the conflict and has criticized the West and Israel's conduct. This summit follows the recent failure of the APEC group, including China and the United States, to reach a consensus on the war.