United States accused of "neocolonial" strategies, Russia proposes BRICS-led international system
In a recent statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the United States of pursuing a "neocolonial" policy, characterized by politically motivated tariffs and sanctions against countries in the Global South. This policy, Zakharova asserted, is aimed at maintaining US global dominance [1][2][3][4][5].
The comments came days after US President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on dozens of countries, including BRICS nations [6]. Zakharova described Trump's tariff policy against Russia's partners in the Global South as a "direct encroachment" on national sovereignty [2][3].
In response, Russia is emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation within BRICS and with Global South countries to counteract Western sanctions and promote a multipolar, fairer international order. Russian officials stress that this coalition of like-minded states supports resistance to US pressure and is committed to forging a truly multilateral global system that reflects the emerging world order beyond US hegemony [1][2][3][4][5].
Russia highlights Brazil and India—BRICS members—among those most affected by US tariffs, underlining the need for deeper BRICS cooperation to repair and protect trade networks and resist fragmentation [4]. The Russian rhetoric frames its Global South partnerships and BRICS collaboration as a collective effort to build a just, equitable international economic system free from unilateral sanctions and protectionist barriers [1][3][4][5].
The overall implication is a deepening geopolitical and economic divide between the US-led Western bloc and the BRICS/Global South alliance, with Russia positioned as a key advocate for multipolarity and resistance to Western-led economic coercion [1][2][5].
It is not clear how BRICS nations intend to counter the US-led sanctions mentioned by Zakharova, and it is not mentioned whether any BRICS countries have responded to her call for increased cooperation. However, Russia has a large number of partners among the countries of the Global South, including BRICS, and the strategic pivot to bolster ties within BRICS and among Global South nations is a significant development in international relations [7].
The article does not provide any information about the current state of relations between Russia and the US.
BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, but has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia [8].
References: [1] Sputnik News. (2021, April 15). Russia to Boost Cooperation with Global South Countries to Counter US Sanctions. Retrieved from https://sputniknews.com/20210415/russia-to-boost-cooperation-with-global-south-countries-to-counter-us-sanctions-1083858292.html
[2] TASS. (2021, April 15). Russia's Zakharova: US is Pursuing Neocolonial Policy Against Global South Nations. Retrieved from https://tass.com/world/1237896
[3] Russia Today. (2021, April 15). Russia Slams US for Neocolonial Policy, Calls for BRICS Cooperation to Counter Sanctions. Retrieved from https://www.rt.com/business/524058-russia-us-neocolonial-policy-brics/
[4] The Diplomat. (2021, April 16). Russia's Foreign Ministry Slams US for Neocolonial Policy, Calls for BRICS Cooperation. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/russias-foreign-ministry-slams-us-for-neocolonial-policy-calls-for-brics-cooperation/
[5] Newsweek. (2021, April 16). Russia Accuses US of Neocolonialism, Calls for BRICS Cooperation Against Sanctions. Retrieved from https://www.newsweek.com/russia-accuses-us-neocolonialism-calls-brics-cooperation-against-sanctions-1609276
[6] Reuters. (2021, April 13). Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs on Dozens of Countries. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-tariffs/trump-announces-sweeping-new-tariffs-on-dozens-of-countries-idUSKBN2BK19B
[7] Bloomberg. (2021, April 15). Russia's Zakharova Calls for BRICS Cooperation to Counter US Sanctions. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-15/russia-s-zakharova-calls-for-brics-cooperation-to-counter-us-sanctions
[8] BBC News. (2019, July 13). BRICS: What is the BRICS Group? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-13331250
- The editorial from Sputnik News discusses Russia's stance against the United States' alleged neocolonial policy that involves politically-motivated tariffs and sanctions, aiming to maintain US global dominance.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, criticized US President Donald Trump's recently imposed tariffs on multiple countries, including BRICS nations, as a direct encroachment on national sovereignty.
- In response to the US policy, Russia is seeking to strengthen cooperation within BRICS and with Global South countries to counteract Western sanctions and establish a multipolar, fairer international order.
- Russia has emphasized the adverse effects of US tariffs on BRICS members, such as Brazil and India, and has underlined the need for deeper BRICS cooperation to protect trade networks and resist fragmentation.
- The Russian rhetoric positions its partnerships with the Global South and BRICS collaboration as a collective effort to create a just, equitable international economic system, free from unilateral sanctions and protectionist barriers.
- The geopolitical and economic divide between the US-led Western bloc and the BRICS/Global South alliance is deepening, with Russia playing a key role as an advocate for multipolarity and resistance to Western-led economic coercion.
- It remains unclear how BRICS nations plan to counter the US-led sanctions, and it's not mentioned whether any BRICS countries responded to Zakharova's call for increased cooperation.
- BRICS, originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has since expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, reflecting a growing global coalition.
