Putin slams Western sanctions as 'ugly' trade coercion at BRICS forum

Putin used his address to the business gathering to launch a broad critique of Western economic policies, describing sanctions regimes as 'ugly' manifestations of trade coercion. The Russian leader's remarks came as Moscow faces more than 30,000 individual sanctions, imposed primarily by Western nations in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian president particularly objected to the use of secondary sanctions—measures that penalize third countries or entities doing business with sanctioned nations—calling them an unjust extension of economic pressure. Putin framed the sanctions regime as a violation of international trade principles and an abuse of economic power by Western governments.

Putin's comments at the BRICS Business Forum underscore Russia's efforts to forge stronger economic ties within the bloc of major developing economies, which includes Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. The New Delhi forum provided a platform for the Russian leader to appeal to emerging market nations as Moscow seeks alternative partnerships amid Western isolation.

The criticism reflects Moscow's broader strategy to position sanctions as illegitimate economic warfare while advocating for a multipolar global order less dependent on Western financial systems and trade mechanisms.