(VOVWORLD) - Representatives of BRICS countries will discuss initiatives on Ukraine at a two-day meeting starting on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, the RIA news agency cited Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu as saying.
 Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. (Photo: VNA) |
BRICS officials will also talk about other regional security issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and tensions between major economies. The meeting is a lead-up to the BRICS Summit, set for next month in Kazan in southwestern Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he expects the summit to strengthen BRICS, expanding its influence and building a closer economic alliance for a more fair global governance system.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.