BRICS Western Sanctions: How Continued Pressure Strengthens the Alliance
The escalating Western sanctions landscape is inadvertently forging a stronger and more resilient BRICS alliance. Founded as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to counter Western dominance of the world order, BRICS is increasingly seen as a viable alternative for nations seeking economic and political independence.
BRICS' Response to Western Sanctions
In response to Western-led sanctions and trade restrictions, BRICS nations have deployed a multifaceted strategy encompassing intra-BRICS trade expansion, financial cooperation, and the promotion of local currencies. As BRICS as a group also criticizes Western countries’ use of sanctions and wants to increase the use of local currencies in member states’ financial transactions. This push for de-dollarization and alternative payment systems aims to insulate BRICS economies from the far-reaching effects of sanctions imposed by Western powers.
BRICS Expansion and the Sanctions Catalyst
Recent crises have added momentum to BRICS expansion. Several big developing nations that are aligned with neither NATO nor Russia resisted pressure to adhere to Western dictates, looking instead to BRICS for partnership and support. Following the 2025 BRICS summit, the economic alliance welcomed a six-country expansion. Moreover, BRICS is continuing to use Western sanctions as a way to grow BRICS.
Russia's Pivot to BRICS Amid Sanctions
In response, Russia has increasingly turned to the BRICS alliancecomprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africaas a strategic platform to mitigate the impact of these sanctions. Russia sees BRICS as a crucial avenue for trade, investment, and diplomatic support, allowing it to circumvent the limitations imposed by Western nations.
Strategic Partnerships and Counter-Sanction Cooperation
The growing cooperation within BRICS extends beyond economics. Cuba and Russia sign a joint declaration at the BRICS foreign ministers’ summit in Rio de Janeiro to counter unilateral Western sanctions, consolidating strategic alignment against what they perceive as unfair economic coercion. This signals a united front against Western pressure and a commitment to building a multipolar world order.
Conclusion: The Future of BRICS and Western Sanctions
As Western sanctions continue to be a prominent feature of the geopolitical landscape, the BRICS alliance is poised to further solidify its position as a counterweight. The continued strengthening of this alliance, driven in part by these very sanctions, suggests a potential shift in the global economic and political power dynamics.