NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused Western countries of trying to regain global leadership “by any means necessary”, including through “unsavoury” forms of competition.
Addressing a BRICS Business Forum panel in New Delhi, Putin said intense competition was a normal part of business but argued that Western countries were using state-level measures against their competitors.
“We have constantly been told that competition is a ‘sacred cow’ — something that must not be touched at all,” Putin said.
“Unfortunately, however, our Western competitors are currently trying to regain their former leadership by any means necessary.”
At the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Putin complained about “Western competitors and sanctions”.
That’s rich coming from someone whose main ways of dealing with other countries are trade wars and military aggression.
“All the time we were told that competition is a sacred… pic.twitter.com/Qep5rF2aG7
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 11, 2026
Putin said such competition could take “unsavoury” forms, including direct physical action against or the destruction of industrial and logistical facilities and pipelines.
He also accused Western countries of attempting to block international transport corridors and seize maritime vessels.
“Attempts are being made to block international transport corridors and seize maritime vessels,” Putin said.
He added that illegal restrictions were being imposed alongside threats of secondary sanctions against countries and companies that refused to act in the interests of others and instead sought to protect their own interests.
Putin said Russia had faced more than 30,000 sanctions, which he described as almost twice the number imposed on all other countries in the world combined.
He said the pressure had encouraged Moscow to strengthen its national sovereignty and deepen ties with reliable and predictable partners.
“We have strengthened our national sovereignty and are developing ties with reliable, predictable partners,” Putin said.
He added that BRICS was ready to cooperate with all partners.
Putin’s remarks came as Russia seeks to deepen economic and political ties with non-Western countries amid extensive Western sanctions imposed over its war in Ukraine.
The BRICS group, which brings together major emerging economies, has expanded its membership in recent years as its members seek greater cooperation in trade, investment and other areas.
Moscow continues to promote BRICS as an important platform for cooperation with countries outside the Western-led international system.
