JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the inaugural BRICS summit held virtually in Johannesburg, blamed the West and its “satellites” for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian leader, who attended the summit remotely due to an outstanding International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest over the abduction of children from Ukraine, gave a 17-minute prerecorded speech to the leaders of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.
“Our actions in Ukraine are dictated by only one thing – to stop the war unleashed by the West and their satellites against people living in Donbass,” said Putin during his address on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
He accused the West of “oppressive actions” aimed at residents of the contested eastern Ukrainian region.
Putin’s remarks came during a three-day summit organized by the BRICS nations, representing a quarter of the global economy.
Interest in joining the group has surged recently, particularly ahead of this summit.
“The main thing is that we are all unanimous for forming a multipolar world order that is truly fair and based on international law,” Putin continued.
He emphasized that the BRICS group had “rightly proved to be a credible entity in the global arena,” and its strategic course is future-oriented.
The Russian leader did not spare the Western bloc from his criticisms.
“We are against any kind of hegemony that some countries promote because of their exclusivity,” he said, “the policy of continuing neo-colonialism.”
He also took the opportunity to defend Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, claiming that Russia “decided to support those who fought for their language, culture, and to oppose those who threatened the life of people in Donbass.”
Putin’s statements are likely to fuel ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries, particularly as the international community grapples with how best to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
The Russian leader’s words will undoubtedly be dissected in capitals around the world as policymakers gauge the likelihood of a diplomatic solution to the years-long crisis.
