New Delhi, 08 September (H.S.): Russia has said that 90 per cent of its trade with BRICS countries is now being conducted in national currencies. The principal reason for this, it said, is the restrictions imposed by the United States on Russia’s access to the dollar-based financial system. Russia is not opposed to the use of the US dollar as an international currency. Rather, Moscow maintains that US policies themselves are preventing the dollar from being used to its full advantage. As a result, Russia has been compelled to make greater use of national currencies in its international trade.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made these remarks during a video-conference press briefing organised by Sputnik India at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The briefing was held in connection with the upcoming BRICS Summit and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India.

Peskov said BRICS is not a grouping created against anyone, but has emerged as a platform for member countries to pursue their national interests collectively. He said its objective is not confrontation with the West. Responding to a question about the dollar, Peskov said, “If they do not allow us to use their money (the dollar), we will use our money (national currencies). We do not want to support any kind of anti-dollar policy. We are simply doing what is most appropriate for our national interests.”

Regarding the upcoming BRICS Summit and the India-Russia leaders’ talks, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin may hold bilateral discussions on Friday. Trade and security-related issues are expected to figure prominently in the talks. In addition, President Putin and Prime Minister Modi are likely to brief each other on their respective positions on sensitive global issues. Cooperation in artificial intelligence is also expected to be a key item on the agenda of their discussions.

Russia is highly optimistic about the outcome of the BRICS deliberations under India’s leadership. Peskov said Russia’s agenda for BRICS centres on security, economic and cultural cooperation.

The spokesman said the concept of a multipolar world occupies a central place in the BRICS ideology. Without naming the United States, he said some powers are attempting to restore a unipolar world and are employing dangerous methods to achieve this objective. At the same time, he said, the global majority favours a multipolar world, with India playing an important role in advancing this vision.

With regard to Ukraine, Peskov praised India’s role and also acknowledged the significance of efforts by the United States and President Donald Trump. He said the Ukraine conflict was not initiated by Russia. According to Peskov, a change of government took place in 2014 with the involvement of France, Britain, Germany and the United States, following which nationalist forces began suppressing Russian-speaking people. He said Russia wants to bring the conflict to an end and supports all efforts aimed at achieving this goal. He expressed hope that Russia, Ukraine and the United States would resume negotiations soon.

Peskov also described the restrictions imposed by the United States on trade with Russia as illegal, arguing that such measures run contrary to the established rules of international trade.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar