Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to attend a virtual summit of the BRICS group of nations to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Kremlin announced. The meeting, chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, aims to establish a unified response to the conflict that has lasted for over six weeks. The extraordinary BRICS summit, scheduled for November 21, will take place via videoconference, bringing together leaders from Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also participate in the virtual meeting, which is anticipated to conclude with a joint statement.

Given Russia's longstanding ties with both Israel and the Palestinians, President Putin believes that the country could play a vital role in mediating the conflict. He has criticized the Western nations for their alleged role in exacerbating tensions in the region and expressed concerns about Israel's conduct during the war. This summit comes on the heels of the failure of leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group, including China and the United States, to reach a consensus on a collective response to the ongoing conflict.

The BRICS nations, known for their diverse geopolitical perspectives, hope to find common ground and contribute to the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli crisis. With the involvement of world leaders and the United Nations, this virtual summit holds the potential to bring much-needed attention to the Israel-Hamas war and pave the way for a more unified international response. The focus will not only be on discussions but also on formulating strategies to mitigate the conflict's devastating impact on the region and its inhabitants.