Is BRICS Falling Apart? How Xi Jinping and Putin are Currently Busy

The BRICS summit in 2025 is happening without two of its most influential members. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were notably absent from the gathering in Rio de Janeiro, hosted by Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Their empty chairs sparked concerns about the bloc’s stability and raised questions about its future direction. With no high-ranking replacements sent in their place, the spotlight turned to who was missing instead of who showed up.

In this article, we unpack what this means for the alliance and why their absence couldn’t have come at a worse time.

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Key Takeaways

1. Xi and Putin skipped BRICS 2025: Their absence raised eyebrows and overshadowed the summit’s agenda.

2. Russia’s economy is struggling: Sanctions, inflation, and falling oil revenue are pushing it closer to a recession.

3. China remains quiet: With Xi absent, China’s usual support for Russia and BRICS feels less certain.

Putin’s No-Show and Russia’s Deepening Economic Problems

Vladimir Putin’s absence was not just a diplomatic gap but a reflection of growing domestic problems. Russia’s economy is under stress. The boost from military spending over the past two years is now fading, and cracks are appearing across sectors.

Industrial production is down. Inflation is up. Consumer spending has tightened. Even the central bank is showing concern, having slashed interest rates in June and preparing for more cuts.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov recently described the situation as a “perfect storm.” That is not just rhetoric. Russia’s GDP for the first quarter of 2025 was only 1.4%, a steep drop from 4.5% in the previous quarter. Major manufacturing firms are cutting output. In June, new car sales dropped 30% year-over-year.

Oil, which used to be Russia’s financial safety net, is no longer delivering enough. Prices remain too low to meet budget needs. Oil and gas revenue in June hit its lowest level since January 2023.

All this pressure is spilling into the banking sector. As loan defaults rise, analysts are warning of a potential banking crisis in 2026.

Military and security spending now takes up 40% of Russia’s budget. While that once drove short-term growth, it has also led to long-term structural pain. The country is spending more to stay afloat, while growth is slipping away.

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Xi Jinping’s Silence and the Waning China-Russia Axis

China’s President Xi Jinping also did not attend the summit, and his absence added another layer of uncertainty. While China did not officially state a reason, the timing is telling.

China has played a central role in BRICS in recent years, especially as a financial counterweight to Western influence. Its close relationship with Russia was crucial as Moscow turned eastward after sanctions from the West.

Xi’s decision to stay away may indicate a cooling of that relationship. China’s economy has its challenges, including slower-than-expected recovery post-pandemic, a struggling real estate sector, and weak consumer confidence. Adding a complex geopolitical stage like BRICS may not be a top priority right now.

China has also been cautious in how closely it aligns with Russia. While it has supported Moscow with discounted oil purchases and trade in electronics and machinery, it has avoided directly endorsing the war in Ukraine.

Xi’s absence could be a signal that China is reassessing how deep it wants to go in backing Russia economically or politically.

Without China’s leadership presence, the summit lacked the economic muscle it usually enjoys. And with both China and Russia missing, the weight of decision-making falls to other members who may not share the same level of influence.

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What the BRICS Summit Looked Like Without Them

The summit in Rio had all the pageantry you’d expect: speeches, handshakes, and a group photo in front of Sugarloaf Mountain. But the mood was quieter than usual.

While Brazil’s President Lula, India’s Narendra Modi, and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa attended in person, Russia and Iran only sent foreign ministers. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China were also missing top-level leaders.

The official agenda focused on expanding trade in local currencies and continuing talks about a common BRICS currency. But progress was slow. Without Xi and Putin, the summit lacked the political force and consensus needed to move forward meaningfully.

In the family photo, Brazil stood at the center, trying to lead the conversation. But it was clear that the bloc’s two most influential members being absent cast a shadow over every session. BRICS, which once symbolized a shift toward a multipolar world, now looks less cohesive.

Diplomatically, this could affect how seriously other countries take the bloc. BRICS is expanding, but its unity is under question. If China and Russia do not actively lead, it becomes harder to maintain direction or momentum.

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Conclusion

The 2025 BRICS summit offered more questions than answers. With both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin absent, the alliance’s future suddenly looks more uncertain. Russia is deep in economic trouble, while China appears to be stepping back. This puts more pressure on the remaining members to maintain BRICS’ relevance.

Whether this was a temporary situation or a sign of long-term change remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: BRICS without its most powerful players feels incomplete.

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FAQ

Why did Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin skip the BRICS summit?

The reasons are not fully confirmed, but economic and political pressures in their home countries likely played a role.

Is BRICS still a strong alliance without China and Russia present?

While still active, the absence of its biggest members raises doubts about its current cohesion and future direction.

What are the key outcomes of the 2025 BRICS summit?

Leaders discussed local currency trade and continued talks about a shared BRICS currency, but no major breakthroughs were announced.

How is Russia’s economy doing in 2025?

Russia is facing inflation, falling oil revenue, and a shrinking GDP, with rising fears of a banking crisis in 2026.

Does this affect the global financial system?

Yes. As BRICS members face economic strain, their influence on global trade and finance could weaken, impacting emerging markets and partnerships.

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