BRICS 15th Forum Kicks Off in Johannesburg; Putin Will Not Attend In Person

The 15th BRICS Forum opens today in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is already being referred to as the "expansion summit." The leaders of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa will participate in the meeting. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while President Vladimir Putin will connect via video conference.

Leaders from 67 countries have been invited to the summit, including 53 African nations. Belarus and Kazakhstan are among two dozen countries awaiting confirmation to join the "club."