Ukraine war preparation: Brics culmination misfired on Putin with calls for harmony, says Kyiv

 Ukraine war preparation: Brics culmination misfired on Putin with calls for harmony, says Kyiv

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The Prelude to Conflict

In the year 2024, the world stood at a precipice of geopolitical transformation. The winds of change had long been swirling, with alliances shifting and new economic powers rising to prominence. One of the most notable formations in this evolving landscape was BRICS—an economic and political grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which had become a formidable counterweight to Western influence. But within this growing power bloc, tensions simmered beneath the surface, threatening to unravel their unity.

For Russian President Vladimir Putin, BRICS had represented a cornerstone of his strategic vision. It was a means to circumvent the West’s dominance, foster economic growth, and build an alternate order, one where Russia could assert its influence without succumbing to sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Yet, by 2024, Putin’s position had become precarious. His long-standing war in Ukraine, launched with the intention of reclaiming lost Russian influence over Eastern Europe, had become a costly quagmire.

In Kyiv, the Ukrainian government watched these developments closely. The protracted conflict with Russia had drained the nation, yet it had also steeled its resolve. The resilience of the Ukrainian people, supported by Western aid and military assistance, had allowed Ukraine to not only defend its territory but push back against Russian forces. As winter approached, whispers of a potential Russian offensive hung in the air. The stakes were higher than ever, and Ukraine knew it needed to prepare for what could be a decisive phase of the war.

 BRICS Summit: The Turning Point

The 2024 BRICS Summit was set to be a moment of triumph for Putin. Hosted in New Delhi, the meeting was meant to solidify the bloc's economic and geopolitical agenda, showcasing unity in the face of Western sanctions and military interventions. Russia had been banking on renewed support from China and India, two of the world’s largest economies, both of whom had thus far maintained a delicate neutrality on the Ukraine war. 

However, as the summit unfolded, it became clear that Putin’s expectations would not be met.

The initial signals of dissent emerged during closed-door discussions. Brazil’s President, a staunch advocate for economic development over militarization, openly questioned Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine. “War breeds instability,” he argued, “and instability is poison to growth.” India, grappling with its own delicate balance between the West and Russia, subtly echoed these sentiments. Prime Minister Modi, while not directly criticizing Moscow, spoke of the need for “harmony in global affairs” and warned against actions that could further fracture the international system. Even South Africa, which had once been a reliable partner to Russia, raised concerns about the humanitarian costs of the war.

But the most significant blow came from China. President Xi Jinping, while careful not to openly rebuke Putin, made a rare call for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Ukraine. Xi’s speech, filled with veiled criticism, emphasized the importance of “sovereignty” and “territorial integrity,” phrases that Kyiv interpreted as indirect support for Ukraine’s stance. Putin’s face, caught on camera during Xi’s address, was a mask of controlled fury.

The culmination of the summit—meant to demonstrate BRICS unity—had instead exposed fissures. The calls for harmony, led by some of Russia’s closest allies, left Putin isolated. Moscow’s attempt to leverage BRICS as a shield against international criticism had backfired, and the world took notice.

Kyiv’s War Preparations

As news of the BRICS Summit’s outcome reached Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military advisors convened an emergency meeting. The summit’s unexpected focus on peace and harmony had opened a window of opportunity for Ukraine. The fracture within BRICS suggested that Russia could no longer count on its traditional allies for unflinching support. More importantly, the summit had sent a message to the Kremlin: Russia’s war in Ukraine was not only isolating it from the West but also alienating it from the very countries it hoped to partner with.

“We have an opening,” Zelensky told his advisors. “Putin’s position is weaker than it has ever been. We must be ready.”

Ukraine had been fortifying its defenses for months, aware that Russia might launch a winter offensive. Western intelligence had warned of a potential surge in Russian troops and artillery in the coming weeks. But with BRICS no longer offering unqualified support to Russia, the calculus had changed.

Kyiv’s military strategy focused on three key areas: defense, diplomacy, and deterrence.

1. **Defense**

Ukraine's military leadership understood that a direct Russian assault was still a real possibility. Despite its diplomatic setbacks, Russia retained significant military capability, and Putin’s pride would not allow him to back down easily. Ukrainian forces, bolstered by NATO training and modernized equipment, reinforced their positions along the eastern front. In the crucial city of Bakhmut, which had been contested for months, Ukrainian troops dug in, setting up layers of defensive fortifications.

In anticipation of a Russian air and missile campaign, Ukraine’s air defenses were upgraded with new systems provided by the West. The Patriot missile batteries, gifted by the United States, now stood ready to intercept Russian cruise missiles. Kyiv itself, having endured multiple missile barrages, had become a fortress city, with shelters, anti-aircraft defenses, and emergency response units prepared for any escalation.

 2. **Diplomacy**

Even as it prepared for potential military action, Kyiv ramped up its diplomatic efforts. Zelensky reached out to BRICS members—particularly India and China—offering a message of peace. Ukraine’s goal was to reinforce the idea that Russia’s war was an affront to the global order. In a televised speech, Zelensky spoke directly to the people of India and China, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-defense and inviting their governments to mediate peace talks.

Western allies, too, were pressed into action. Ukraine urged NATO members to maintain their support, emphasizing that the cracks in BRICS presented an opportunity to further isolate Russia. Sanctions were intensified, and military aid packages were expedited. The Ukrainian government also made overtures to Brazil, South Africa, and even African nations aligned with BRICS, attempting to break the narrative that this war was simply a West-versus-Russia conflict.

 3. **Deterrence**

Perhaps the most significant part of Ukraine’s preparation was its plan to deter further Russian aggression. Ukrainian intelligence, working closely with NATO, had identified key Russian logistical hubs and supply lines in occupied territories. Using long-range missile systems, Ukraine planned to target these hubs, cutting off Russian forces and limiting their ability to launch a sustained offensive.

At the same time, Ukraine’s special forces began a series of covert operations in Crimea, targeting Russian military infrastructure. These operations, while risky, were intended to send a clear message to Moscow: Ukraine would not only defend its territory but would also strike back decisively if provoked.

The Tipping Point

By mid-winter, the stage was set. Russian forces, though weakened by years of war and economic strain, launched a series of probing attacks along the eastern front. But Ukrainian defenses held strong. With new intelligence and advanced weapons systems, Ukrainian forces repelled the initial assaults, inflicting heavy casualties on Russian troops.

Meanwhile, Russia’s diplomatic isolation deepened. China, frustrated by Putin’s refusal to engage in peace talks, began to distance itself further from Moscow. India, too, remained neutral, unwilling to be drawn into Russia’s conflict. BRICS, once a symbol of Putin’s geopolitical ambitions, had become a source of his downfall.

In Kyiv, there was cautious optimism. The war was far from over, but the tide was turning. Russia, now isolated and facing a united Ukrainian front, was running out of options. As calls for peace negotiations grew louder, both in Moscow and abroad, Ukraine’s resolve remained firm. The culmination of BRICS had misfired on Putin, and Kyiv stood ready to seize the moment.

 Epilogue

The events of the BRICS Summit in 2024 would be remembered as a turning point in the Ukraine conflict. Putin, once a master of geopolitical maneuvering, had miscalculated. His efforts to build a coalition of global powers had instead exposed the limits of his influence. And while the war in Ukraine continued, the momentum had shifted. Kyiv, standing resilient and prepared, had shown the world that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the spirit of a nation fighting for its freedom could not be broken.

And as the first snow fell on Kyiv, there was hope—hope that the war would soon come to an end, and that peace, long elusive, might finally be within reach.