Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on October 18 that the BRICS group is poised to drive most global economic growth in the coming years, outpacing developed Western nations. He will host a summit in Kazan from October 22-24, aiming to strengthen BRICS, which now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Putin emphasized that BRICS nations are key contributors to global GDP growth, positioning the group as a counterweight to Western influence in global politics and trade.