MOSCOW, Oct 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday acknowledged the difficulty in providing a definitive timeline for ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine but reiterated his confidence in Russia’s eventual victory. During an interaction with senior editors from BRICS countries, Putin expressed appreciation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concern over the situation, calling Modi a “friend” and highlighting India’s role in advocating for a peaceful resolution.
Putin’s remarks came just days before the 16th BRICS Summit, where leaders of the group, including Modi, will meet in Kazan on October 22-23. The Russian leader praised Modi’s description of BRICS as a “non-Western, not anti-Western” grouping, emphasizing that it should not be viewed as a bloc-style organization. He affirmed that BRICS, now expanded to include five new members—Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE—was designed to promote global cooperation without aligning against specific nations or groups.
Putin also touched on the prospects for India playing a role in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, referencing Modi’s earlier expressions of concern and his call for a peaceful resolution. In August, Modi spoke to Putin, stressing the importance of an early resolution to the conflict, a sentiment echoed by the Indian leader during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
However, Putin maintained that it would be “counterproductive” to set a timeline for ending the war, which erupted in February 2022. He blamed the United States and NATO for pushing Russia into the conflict, accusing them of orchestrating the war behind the scenes by aiding Ukraine. “NATO is waging a war against us,” Putin said, adding that Russia would prevail. He asserted that the Russian military has evolved into one of the most advanced combat forces in the world and expressed confidence that NATO would eventually tire of the confrontation.
Putin also addressed the economic potential of BRICS, highlighting the group’s significance as it represents 24% of global GDP and 41% of the world’s population. He noted that the doors of BRICS remain open to new members and predicted that even non-members will benefit from the group’s economic development initiatives.
On broader geopolitical issues, Putin accused the US of attempting to hinder China’s growth and criticized American efforts to involve NATO in Asia. He described these actions as provocative, accusing the US of “literally dragging NATO like puppies into Asia” to escalate tensions.
During the media interaction, Putin acknowledged the longstanding popularity of Indian cinema in Russia and indicated he would discuss further promoting Indian films during his upcoming meeting with Modi. He also praised India’s pharmaceutical and automotive sectors, hinting at opportunities for deeper collaboration in these industries.
On the escalating conflict in Gaza, Putin expressed concern and mentioned that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been invited to BRICS events, signaling Russia’s continued engagement in global issues beyond the Ukraine conflict.
