Lamenting the “hindrance” to global development caused by Western sanctions, President Vladimir Putin is rallying the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to champion a new world order. His pre-summit message was a call to action against what he sees as an unjust international economic system.
Putin specifically targeted US and EU sanctions as “discriminatory” measures that harm not only Russia but also the “socioeconomic development of BRICS members and the world at large.” He painted a picture of a global system where the progress of many is held back by the political will of a few.
In response, he is advocating for the SCO and BRICS to become more assertive. He spoke of the need to “strengthen their ability to address pressing global challenges” and to work together on everything from infrastructure projects to creating an alternative financial system based on national currencies.
The Tianjin summit is poised to be the forum for this rally cry. Putin will urge his counterparts to join Russia and China in “shaping a fairer, multipolar world order,” one that, in his view, would finally remove the artificial hindrances to their collective growth and prosperity.