KAZAN, Russia (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised the role of the BRICS countries as a counterbalance against what he called the “evil ways” of the West, giving the developing world The BRICS bloc summit was concluded.
The three-day summit in Kazan, attended by leaders and representatives from 36 countries, highlighted the failure of U.S.-led efforts to isolate Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
The conflict was brought up repeatedly at the meeting, UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ first visit to Russia in more than two years, prompting an angry response from Kiev. Guterres called for a “just peace” in Ukraine, in line with the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions. He also called for an immediate end to fighting in Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan.
At a press conference Thursday night, Putin was asked about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to end the fighting in Ukraine.
“What Mr. Trump said recently, what I heard, is that he talked about his desire to do everything to end the conflict in Ukraine," Putin said. “It sounds like he means it. We certainly welcome this kind of statement, no matter who makes it.”
Putin was also asked whether North Korean troops were stationed in Russia, but he neither confirmed nor denied the question. The United States announced Wednesday that 3,000 North Korean troops are being sent to Russia and training in multiple locations.
When asked about the military’s satellite images, he said, “Images are important. When you have an image, it reflects something.”
Putin noted that lawmakers in Moscow had earlier in the day ratified an agreement on mutual military assistance with North Korea as part of a “strategic partnership” with the country.
“We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes our agreement seriously. It is our job to decide what to do and how to do it within the framework of the terms of this (agreement). ” he said.
The summit focused on deepening financial cooperation, including the development of payment systems to replace those led by the West, efforts to resolve regional disputes, and the expansion of the BRICS group of countries.
Founded in 2009, the alliance initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but has now expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied for membership, and several other countries have also expressed interest in joining.
The Kremlin touted the summit as Russia’s “largest foreign policy event ever held.”
President Putin, speaking at a meeting called BRICS+, which is attended by countries considering joining the bloc, said that Western countries are “through illegal unilateral sanctions, outright protectionism, currency manipulation, currency manipulation, etc.” “We are trying to stop the expansion of power in the Global South.” The stock market and, ostensibly, the relentless foreign influence that drives democracy, human rights, and climate change issues. ”
“Frankly, such perverse methods and approaches lead to the emergence of new conflicts and the aggravation of old differences,” Putin said. “One example is Ukraine, which is being used to create serious threats to Russia’s security, ignoring our vital interests, legitimate concerns and violations of the rights of Russian-speaking people.” .”
Russia is particularly pushing for the creation of a new payment system that would provide an alternative to the global banking messaging network SWIFT and allow Russia to do business with partners around Western sanctions.
In a joint declaration on Wednesday, participants expressed concern about the “destructive impact of unlawful unilateral coercive measures, including unlawful sanctions” and reiterated their commitment to strengthen financial cooperation within the BRICS. They claim the benefits of “faster, lower-cost, more efficient, transparent, secure and inclusive cross-border payment instruments built on the principles of minimizing trade barriers and non-discriminatory access.” pointed out.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized China’s role in global security. Xi noted that China and Brazil are seeking to present a peace plan for Ukraine and mobilize broader international support for Ukraine. Ukraine rejected this proposal.
“We should try to calm down the situation as soon as possible and pave the way for a political solution,” Xi said.
Putin and Xi announced an “unrestricted” partnership weeks before Russia sent troops to Ukraine in 2022. The two sides have already met twice earlier this year, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Beijing in May and in Kazakhstan in July.
Cooperation between Russia and India is also flourishing, as New Delhi considers Moscow a proven partner since the Cold War, despite Russia’s close ties with India’s rival China. Western allies have called on New Delhi to be more active in persuading Moscow to halt fighting in Ukraine, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed Russia while stressing a peaceful resolution. I avoid doing that.
Prime Minister Guterres addressed the BRICS+ meeting and called for an immediate end to fighting in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan. “We need peace in Ukraine, a just peace in line with the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” he said.
Russia’s Kremlin-controlled media promoted the summit as a major policy coup as Western countries feared they would lose global influence. State television programs and news bulletins emphasized that the BRICS countries account for about half of the world’s population, constitute a “global majority,” and are challenging Western “hegemony.”
Citing at length Western media reports, TV hosts said the summit highlighted Moscow’s inability to isolate itself. “The West, the United States, Washington, Brussels and London ended up being isolated,” said Evgeny Popov, host of a popular political talk show on state channel Russia 1.
