Evolving Multilateralism: BRICS, the EU and Responses to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The document analyzes the 'structural disjuncture' between the European Union's bilateral approach to international relations and the BRICS bloc's pursuit of an inclusive, South-South multilateral model. It argues that BRICS challenges the EU's historical hegemony in global governance, economic power, and trade policies. While the Russia-Ukraine war has further polarized the EU and BRICS, the author suggests opportunities for cooperation on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the energy transition.

• A 'structural disjuncture' exists in EU-BRICS relations because neither group has developed a common agenda or a strategy of engagement that achieves success beyond bilateral relations.
• BRICS challenges the EU's influence in global governance by advocating for the representation of developing nations and creating alternative institutions, such as the New Development Bank (NDB), to reduce reliance on Bretton Woods institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
• The EU's approach to BRICS is characterized by institutionalizing bilateral 'strategic partnerships' with individual member states rather than engaging with the bloc as a multilateral whole.
• The Russia-Ukraine conflict has intensified the gap between the two blocs, as the EU's multilateral agenda has been defined by its support for Ukraine, while BRICS members have largely remained non-aligned and avoided major sanctions against Russia.
• BRICS is exploring the creation of a new reserve currency to reduce dependence on the US Dollar, which could potentially challenge the influence of the Euro.
• The development of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) represents a rare area of potential EU-BRICS cooperation, as both the EU and BRICS members like South Africa support its goals.

APA

Vayez, A. (2023). Evolving Multilateralism: BRICS, the EU and Responses to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/evolving-multilateralism-brics-the-eu-and-responses-to-the-russia-ukraine-conflict

Chicago

Vayez, Aaliyah. Evolving Multilateralism: BRICS, the EU and Responses to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2023. https://afripoli.org/evolving-multilateralism-brics-the-eu-and-responses-to-the-russia-ukraine-conflict.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Vayez |first1=Aaliyah |title=Evolving Multilateralism: BRICS, the EU and Responses to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=23 August 2023 |url=https://afripoli.org/evolving-multilateralism-brics-the-eu-and-responses-to-the-russia-ukraine-conflict |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vayez2023evolving, author = {Vayez, Aaliyah}, title = {{Evolving Multilateralism: BRICS, the EU and Responses to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2023}, month = aug, url = {https://afripoli.org/evolving-multilateralism-brics-the-eu-and-responses-to-the-russia-ukraine-conflict}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }