West trying to regain lost leadership by any means: Putin

The West is attempting to regain its lost leadership by any means, including unsavory methods, Russian President Vladimir Putin said while speaking at the BRICS Business Forum in India’s New Delhi, Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported on Friday.

"But, unfortunately, our Western competitors are currently trying to regain their former leadership by any means possible. Today, this competition is sometimes taking on unsavory forms - something a colleague from Iran also just mentioned here. Moreover, these unsavory forms are manifesting at the state level," he said.

Blaming the West for impacting logistics, destroying infrastructure and seizing ships in a bid to maintain the so-called status quo, Putin also lambasted Western-led sanctions, saying the embargoes were being used to “threaten those who are unwilling to act in someone else’s interests but protect their own national interests."

He also noted that strong and reliable business ties within BRICS form the basis of international relations, making them more resilient.

"BRICS countries, home to about half the world’s population, have vast, dynamic domestic markets. Cities in our countries are developing rapidly and growing, urbanisation is proceeding swiftly, and national companies are increasingly making their mark as global players."

He expressed hope that the BRICS new investment platform will be supported by other members of the association.