President Vladimir Putin on Monday called for an expanded role for the BRICS bloc in the global energy dialogue as Russia looks to counter Western influence.
Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter and home to the largest natural gas reserves, is hosting the annual Energy Week International Forum this week, which will include a meeting of BRICS energy ministers.
In a letter to forum attendees, Putin emphasized the importance of energy cooperation in strengthening national economies and addressing social challenges. He urged BRICS nations to agree on common principles for a just energy transition and enhance their influence in global energy markets.
BRICS, founded in 2009, recently expanded to include countries like Egypt, Iran, and the UAE, collectively controlling 42% of global oil and gas reserves.
