Kremlin weighs in on Trump claim that countries want to ‘drop out’ of BRICS
The BRICS economic group unites nations sharing a vision of cooperation aimed at prosperity and stability, not confrontation with any other state or currency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
He made the remarks on Wednesday, responding to a claim by US President Donald Trump that countries wanted to “drop out” of BRICS for fear of potential tariffs and sanctions.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump accused the bloc of attempting an “attack on the dollar” and warned that Washington would impose tariffs on nations aligning with it.
Peskov told RIA Novosti that BRICS has “never planned anything against any third country or any third-country currency.” The group’s work is guided by principles of partnership, prosperity, and predictability, he said.
These values are reflected in the joint declarations adopted at BRICS summits, Peskov added.
The Kremlin spokesman said he had “no information” suggesting that any members or prospective members were reconsidering their participation because of US pressure.
Trump, a frequent critic of BRICS, has accused it of attempting to weaken the global role of the US dollar. The bloc, however, has no common currency, and most trade between its members is conducted in national currencies. BRICS leaders have repeatedly stated that they are not trying to undermine the greenback, arguing that politicization of the dollar posses a greater threat.
BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, has expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. The economic bloc now surpasses the G7 in combined GDP. At the group’s summit in Kazan, Russia last year, BRICS approved a new ‘partner country’ status in response to membership interest shown by more than 30 countries.
