BRICS Have Opponents - Countries of 'Golden Billion' - Putin

Earlier in the day, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the BRICS leaders have decided to invite Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to join the group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the BRICS have opponents - countries of the "golden billion" - who are trying to replace the system of international law based on their own selfish rules.

"I would like to note that BRICS does not compete with anyone, does not oppose anyone, but it is also obvious that this objective process, the process of creating a new world order, still has irreconcilable opponents who try to slow down this process, to prevent the establishment of new independent centers of development and influence in the world," Putin said at a meeting of the five leaders in the BRICS-plus format.

The President also noted that the BRICS countries are in favor of the formation of a multipolar world order and preserving the diversity of national cultural borders.

"We are all in favor of the formation of a new multipolar world order, a world order that would be truly balanced and take into account the sovereign interests of as many states as possible. It would open opportunities for the realization of different models of development and help preserve the diversity of national cultural boundaries," Putin added.

There will be no alternative to hydrocarbon fuel in the foreseeable future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"It is quite obvious that in the foreseeable future, there will be no alternatives to coal, to hydrocarbon fuel," Putin said at the BRICS Plus format meeting.

Russia is genuinely interested in strengthening ties with Africa and will implement joint projects in various areas together with African partners, Putin said.

"Russia, on its part, is genuinely interested in further strengthening of multifaceted ties with the African continent, and we will actively promote these ties in practice. We will implement new joint projects in very different areas," Putin said at the BRICS Plus format meeting.

The Russian president also stated that Moscow will do everything in its power to prevent a food crisis in Africa and in global markets in general.

Russia is also providing assistance with grain to African states as a reliable supplier, despite all obstacles posed by other countries, Putin added.

The BRICS Summit is held in Johannesburg on August 22-24 and attended by the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa, with Russia represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Putin is taking part in the summit via videoconference.