Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday said it was not easy to lay out a timeframe for the end of the prolonged war in Ukraine but claimed that his country would win the battle, as he appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern over the situation.
Days ahead of the 16th BRICS Summit he is scheduled to host, Putin also supported Modi's description of the grouping: "The Indian leader has aptly said that the group is not an anti-western one but a non-western one".
He also made it clear the grouping -which has since been expanded from five initial members to include five more countries- should not be seen as a "bloc style organisation".
Modi will visit Kazan on 22-23 October, to attend the summit
In a straight word, at an interaction with senior Editors from BRICS countries at his official residence Novo-Ogaryovo, about 50 km from Moscow, the Russian leader also indicated that he could discuss giving Indian movies another boost when he meets Modi.
Asked if he saw any role for India in negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine, he referred to the concern expressed by Modi, whom he described as a "friend." He said Russia was "grateful" for this.
Modi had called Putin on August 27 and said that he was in favor of an early, amicable settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict days after he had met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. He had also visited Moscow in July.
On September 5, Putin had named India, China and Brazil as the countries with which Russia was in touch to settle the Ukraine conflict.
Putin said on Friday that the setting of timeframes on ending the war will be "counterproductive." The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022.
He blamed the US and NATO for pushing Russia into the war and added that his country will prevail.
The Ukraine army, in his view, cannot alone handle precision weapon delivery systems, he added.
"It's all done by NATO professionals. But you know what the difference is? NATO is waging a war against us…. " He said the Russian army has become one of the most combat effective and high-tech armies in the world, and NATO will get tired of "waging this war against us."
"We will have the upper hand. We'll win. We'll prevail," he said through an interpreter at the media interaction.
The Russian leader said he was open to negotiations to end the war but blamed Ukraine for reneging on an earlier agreement to find a settlement.
Besides India and Russia, the BRICS consists of China, South Africa, and Brazil. It accounts for 24 percent of global GDP and 41 percent of the world's population and plays the role of economic counterbalance to the West.
The latest five entrants to the grouping are Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Putin said the doors of BRICS were not closed to new members, and as the grouping develops even the non-member countries will benefit economically.
The Russian leader said what sets this group apart from others is that BRICS was never meant to be against anyone.
This is precisely what the Indian prime minister put out," he said. Of late, he has said that BRICS is not an anti-Western one but a non-Western one, he added.
On other issues, Putin accused the US of trying to stem development in China. "It's like telling the sun not to rise," he said.
He also accused the US of resorting to provocative actions in different regions and "literally dragging NATO like puppies into Asia like an angry big person." The US is galvanising its allies like Australia to provide additional points of tension, he added.
To a question on BRICS having a common currency, Putin said it is moving "slowly and cautiously" on this front.
He said that Indian movies are very popular in Russia and indicated giving another boost to the sector when he meets Modi next week.
He also made a mention of India's pharmaceutical and automotive industries and referred to "decisions" by New Delhi to "protect its own.".
"But we are optimistic if our Indian friends are interested, we will find a common agenda in promoting Indian cinema for the Russian market," he added.
He expressed his concern over the building situation in Gaza and said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been invited to BRICS events.
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