It's been not too shabby a week so far for Russia’s leader of 24 years, sandwiched between a Moldova referendum where the pro-EU camp underwhelmed and a crucial general election in fellow former Soviet state Georgia. 

Forget International Criminal Court arrest warrants. Vladimir Putin is rolling out the red carpet for dozens of leaders by the banks of the Volga in Tatarstan's capital Kazan.

Despite Western sanctions over Ukraine and the sputterings of a slowing Chinese economy, new names are lining up at the BRICS summit to join the club of emerging world giants whose fortunes seem tied to the whims of world commodity prices. If, as billed, it is much more than a trade talking shop, then what are the BRICS all about in 2024?

And if Putin's having a good week so far, what about in two weeks if Donald Trump returns to the White House? We ask our panel how the former Soviet world sees that prospect.

Produced by Andrew Hilliar, Rebecca Gnignati and Annarosa Zampaglione.