In the Run-Up to the BRICS+ Summit: Russia’s BRICS+ Soft Power Offensive in Fashion and Sport

Isolating Russia is a key element of the West’s response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. However, this strategy has only been partially success­ful. After more than two years of fighting, Russia has found ways to circumvent economic sanctions and political exclusion. This year’s BRICS+ summit, to be held in Kazan in October, is likely to illustrate this develop­ment. Russia will host a summit of the highest political and economic importance, bringing together leading powers from different regions of the world. This Spot­light unpacks and evaluates the effective­ness of Russia’s efforts to counter Western isolationist strategies by using soft power initiatives in the areas of fashion and sport in the run-up to the summit.