Putin says multipolar shift faces resistance from "accustomed to thinking in colonial categories"

At a Brics summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for expanding the UN Security Council to give more representation to Asia, Africa and Latin America, saying it would make the body more effective, according to Interfax. The bloc has sought a larger voice for developing nations in global governance. Addressing the expanded group of developing and emerging countries, he said the shift toward a world with several power centers was facing resistance, and he accused the countries behind that resistance of using trade restrictions, punitive measures and force to constrain ascendant powers. Putin also said the resulting tensions are harming the international system, while Russia still considers the UN Charter the grounding for international law. The summit’s joint statement voiced concern about Middle East conflicts and condemned punitive measures lacking UN authorization.