Putin Slams Sanctions and ‘Ugly’ Trade Tactics at BRICS
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised what he described as increasingly aggressive trade and sanctions policies, telling the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi that Russia has faced more than 30,000 sanctions while expanding economic ties with alternative partners.
Putin Says Russia Faces Over 30,000 Sanctions
Putin claimed that more than 30,000 sanctions have been imposed on Russia, which he said was more than twice the number applied to all other countries combined.
He argued that economic competition was increasingly taking “ugly” forms at the level of governments, pointing to sanctions, pressure on transport corridors, seizure of maritime vessels and threats of secondary restrictions.
His remarks reflected Moscow’s longstanding opposition to Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine and other geopolitical disputes.
Putin Criticises Secondary Sanctions and Trade Pressure
The Russian leader accused some countries of attempting to force others to follow their strategic interests through economic pressure.
He referred to threats of secondary sanctions against countries continuing economic relations with Russia, an issue of particular relevance to India and China because of their continued purchases of Russian energy.
Putin said Russia had responded by strengthening economic sovereignty and expanding ties with what he described as reliable and predictable partners.
BRICS Economic Cooperation Takes Centre Stage
Putin said Russia’s economy had demonstrated resilience despite unprecedented restrictions and claimed its growth over the previous three years had exceeded the global average.
His comments came as BRICS leaders discussed expanding trade, investment, infrastructure and payment cooperation within the grouping.
India and Russia have also reaffirmed plans to deepen bilateral economic ties, including a target of increasing annual trade to $100 billion by 2030.
