Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for the extinction of a “unipolar world,” advocating instead for a multipolar international order where no single power dominates global politics or security.
Speaking at a press briefing after concluding his four-day visit to China, Putin underlined the role of platforms like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in promoting this vision.
“A unipolar world is unfair. It must cease to exist. A multipolar world means all nations are equal in international relations, and no one should be ‘more equal’ than others. This new order must not have any hegemons, not in BRICS, not in the SCO,” he said.
Putin acknowledged the rising influence of major economies like India and China, but cautioned that economic strength should not translate into political or security dominance. He reiterated that equality must remain the cornerstone of global governance.
“Yes, there are economic giants like India or China. Russia is also among the top four economies by purchasing power parity. But that does not mean anyone should dominate politics or global security. Everyone must be equal,” he added.
His remarks came against the backdrop of Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict and ongoing trade tensions triggered by U.S. tariff policies under President Donald Trump, including steep duties on Indian and Chinese imports.
India too faces challenges, with Washington recently imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods, alongside an additional 25% penalty linked to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
Reflecting on his China visit, Putin described the outcomes as “very positive”, citing forward-looking agreements reached by all participants. He also revealed that during a car ride with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO summit, he briefed him about his recent talks with Trump in Alaska.
