BRICS Leaders Descend on Russia for Summit

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting in Ufa, Russia, July 8, 2015.


Putin and Lukashenko arrived in Ufa to attend the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits.

President Vladimir Putin meets with Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani takes part in a traditional bread and salt ceremony upon his arrival in Ufa.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (L) arrives in Ufa.

President Vladimir Putin greets Chinese President Xi Jinping during the welcoming ceremony at the BRICS Summit.

President Vladimir Putin greets South African President Jacob Zuma during the welcoming ceremony at the BRICS Summit.

President Vladimir Putin (L) talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) as they walk for a meeting followed by (R-L) Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma during the BRICS Summit.

President Vladimir Putin gestures during the Summit.

President Vladimir Putin (C) attends the BRICS Summit in Ufa.

(1st row L-R) South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and leaders of the invited states (2nd row L-R) Uzbek's President Islam Karimov, Tajikistan's President Imomali Rakhmon, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Mongolia's President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, Kazakh's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan pose during a family photo session at the BRICS Summit in Ufa.

President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during the reception, organized for the leaders of BRICS countries and invited guests.