Putin Responds to Criticism at BRICS Summit

In a rare press conference during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Steve Rosenberg had the opportunity to question Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Rosenberg pointed out a glaring contradiction between the summit's declaration advocating for global security and justice and Russia's actions since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two and a half years ago. His inquiry prompted Putin to deflect blame onto the West, maintaining that NATO's expansion breached Russian security, a claim he reiterated with phrases like "there is no justice here." When Rosenberg highlighted that Russia's security had worsened since the invasion, citing drone attacks and territorial losses, Putin acknowledged the situation but suggested it would have been worse had he not acted. He framed the invasion as a necessity to preserve Russia's sovereignty and prevent it from becoming a 'second-class state.' Additionally, Putin dismissed allegations from British intelligence accusing Russia of creating chaos in European cities as 'absolute rubbish.' This interaction reflects the ongoing narrative of blame and security concerns prevalent in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, positioning Putin's defensive rhetoric amid international scrutiny.