Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of trying to regain global leadership "at all costs," using, according to him, "dishonest" methods in confronting international competitors.
Speaking on Friday at a panel at the BRICS Business Forum in the Indian capital, New Delhi, Putin said that behind every company's success story lies intense daily work and the face of "fierce competition."
"We have been constantly told that competition is a 'sacred cow', something that should not be touched in any way. Unfortunately, however, our Western competitors are currently trying to regain their former leadership at all costs," Putin declared.
The Russian president said that competition, according to him, is in some cases taking "unfair" forms, emphasizing that these practices are not limited to companies, but also appear at the state level.
Putin cited as examples actions that, according to him, include direct strikes on industrial and logistics facilities, as well as pipelines and transport infrastructure.
"Efforts are being made to block international shipping corridors and seize ships," he said.
Putin further accused Western countries of imposing restrictions that he considers illegal, accompanied by threats of secondary sanctions against states and companies that refuse to act in the interests of other countries and choose to protect their own interests.
In his speech, the Russian president also focused on the sanctions imposed on Moscow, claiming that their number has exceeded 30,000.
"More than 30,000 sanctions have been imposed on Russia, which is almost double the number of sanctions imposed on all countries in the world combined," Putin declared.
According to him, the West's economic and political pressure has not weakened Russia in the intended way, but has instead pushed Moscow to strengthen its economic and political independence.
"We have strengthened our national sovereignty and are developing ties with reliable and predictable partners," Putin said, adding that BRICS is ready to cooperate with all partners.
Putin arrived in India on Friday for a three-day visit. During his stay, the Russian president will attend the 18th BRICS Summit, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday in New Delhi.
Putin's statements come at a time of high geopolitical tensions, with Russia seeking to strengthen cooperation with BRICS countries and other partners outside the traditional economic and political structures of the West.
