July 2025. The BRICS Summit is underway in Rio de Janeiro — agathering notable not only for its expanded membership and sweepingagenda, but also for a striking diplomatic void: the absence of two of itsmost powerful founding leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin andChinese President Xi Jinping. While Putin’s no-show is largely attributed toBrazil’s obligations under the International Criminal Court — which hasissued a warrant for his arrest — Xi’s absence remains far moremysterious and has sparked a wave of global speculation#geopolitics #missing #brics #china #xijinping #dictator #nato #putin #russia #globalconflict #internationalrelations #ukraine
