UN Chief Faces Backlash for Meeting with Putin at BRICS Summit

António Guterres criticized for engaging with leaders accused of human rights violations at a contentious summit in Russia.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended the BRICS summit in Russia, where he met with President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
The visit drew sharp criticism due to the perceived legitimization of Putin, who is under an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
Guterres' handshake with Putin and embrace with Lukashenko, both seen as controversial figures, sparked outrage among human rights advocates and Ukrainian officials.
Critics, including Putin's opponents, argue that such interactions undermine efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine.
The BRICS summit, hosted by Russia, was positioned as a step toward a new multipolar world order, challenging Western dominance.