Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly criticised the “discriminatory” sanctions imposed by the US and European Union on Moscow, arguing that such measures not only target Russia but also hinder the socio-economic growth of BRICS nations and the wider global community.
In an interview with Xinhua News Agency ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Putin said Russia and China share a united stance against such sanctions, emphasising their alignment on global economic and political issues.
Highlighting the growing strength of bilateral ties, Putin noted that Russia-China relations have reached an “unprecedented level”, with trade rising by nearly USD 100 billion since 2021. He added that most transactions are now settled in rubles and yuan, further reducing dependence on Western currencies.
China continues to be Russia’s largest importer of oil and gas, and both nations are working to lower trade barriers while expanding economic cooperation.
Putin expressed confidence that the SCO summit would enhance the grouping’s ability to address modern challenges and contribute to building a “fairer, multipolar world order grounded in international law, with the UN at its core.”
On BRICS, he stressed the importance of mobilising resources for critical infrastructure projects and strengthening the bloc’s collective capacity to respond to global crises.
The Russian President will attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin on August 31 and September 1, where he is expected to meet several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
