In a rather underreported development, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call for North Korea and BRICS nations—China, India, Brazil, and South Africa—to join Ukraine ceasefire talks suggests a significant reimagining of global conflict resolution. Coupled with Belarus’s recent proposal to host a BRICS parliamentary security summit, these developments underscore the rising influence of the BRICS bloc as an alternative mechanism. Far from being a mere economic alliance, BRICS could be emerging as a platform for fostering a polycentric world.

Putin’s proposal, articulated in Murmansk in March 2025, reflects a growing frustration with Western-led negotiations, which he has described as inconsistent and deceptive. Whether one likes the Russian leader or not, Moscow’s suggestion to include diverse voices from the Global South, alongside North Korea, in ceasefire talks is not merely strategic but quite visionary in that it recognizes that the Ukraine conflict, while geographically European, has global ramifications that demand a broader coalition of stakeholders. Unlike Western frameworks, which often prioritize NATO’s interests, a BRICS-mediated process could emphasize mutual security and economic stability, drawing on the bloc’s commitment to non-interference and multilateralism.

Meanwhile, Belarus’s own proposal to host a BRICS parliamentary security summit further amplifies this vision. Proposed last week, the summit would aim to deepen cooperation across politics, security, economy, finance, culture, and humanitarian ties. By fostering dialogue among parliaments of BRICS nations, Belarus thus seeks to institutionalize the bloc’s role in addressing global challenges, from conflict resolution to economic resilience. This move aligns with BRICS’s broader........

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