KAZAN, Russia (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin held the closing ceremony Thursday. Summit of BRICS countries He praised the economies of developing countries and their role as a counterbalance to what he called the “evil ways” of the West.
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. 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. US said On Wednesday, 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia and are 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.”
Earlier in the day, Putin told lawmakers in Moscow: ratified the agreement with North Korea Regarding mutual military assistance as part of a “strategic partnership” with North Korea.
“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.
An alliance that originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa when it was established in 2009 Expanded Accepts Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, 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 the relentless foreign influence that ostensibly drives democracy, human rights, and climate change issues. ”
“Such perverse methods and approaches, frankly, 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.
President Putin and President Xi announced the following. An “unlimited” partnership It was just weeks before Russia was scheduled to send troops to Ukraine in 2022. The two countries have already met twice earlier this year, in Beijing in May and at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kazakhstan in July.
Despite Russia’s close ties with India’s rival China, New Delhi considers Russia a proven partner since the Cold War, and cooperation between Russia and India is also flourishing. Western allies want New Delhi to be more active in persuading Moscow to stop fighting in Ukraine, but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has threatened to push Russia forward while stressing a peaceful resolution. Avoids blaming.
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.
