Russia wants to enhance BRICS' relations

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 23 Jun 2022 by Alex Teddy

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On June 22 Putin said that Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa should draw closer. He was addressing a BRICS business forum by videolink.  Russia needs to deepen its relations with the other BRICS nations because Russia's relations with EU, NATO and other pro-Western nations are so poor. South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan and Australia and other non-EU and non-NATO countries have sanctioned Russia. South Africa enjoys cordial relations with Russia. Moscow is keen to remind them that the USSR was always against apartheid. Putin accused Western countries of violating the principles of private property and free trade. The president said the sanctions are politically motivated. He boasted that Russia was directing its trade towards BRICS nations. Russia sees potential for commerce with Latin American, Asian and African countries. In Latin America the allies of Russia are Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. But the US and the EU are discretely negotiating with Venezuela to get their oil back on the market. Cuba and Nicaragua have very little wealth to buy Russian products and manufacture almost nothing of use to Russia. The same goes for minor countries in Africa and Asia. Russia is selling more fertilizer than before to Less Economically Developed Countries. Putin said that Indian chain stores might open in Russia. India is renowned for its storekeepers all over the world. Russia is buying Chinese cars  but sales are substantially down as Russians have less disposable income.  Putin boasted that Russia is selling more oil to China and India than ever. But such sales have been going up for decades as the populations and economies of their countries grow. Russia...