BRICS is not against anyone, but refuses to depend on the West

JAKARTA - The member countries of the BRICS economic cooperation forum have never directed their joint efforts against anyone, but amid the fundamental reform of the association, they are discussing how to protect themselves from Western discrimination and build a supply chain that is free from the desires and will of their Western counterparts.

This was conveyed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.

The Foreign Minister noted that EU countries, which are now "complaining" about high energy prices, have tried to create difficulties for others but instead found themselves in a difficult situation.

"But BRICS does not work against anyone," he said, launching TASS (12/2).

"BRICS is discussing how to protect itself from Western sanctions and discrimination, how to build a common energy supply chain that is free from the desires and will of our Western counterparts," said Foreign Minister Lavrov.

The top diplomat said Moscow was fully aware of the need to develop related supply chains, routes and infrastructure.

"The cross-border railway route for container cargo has been tested through the state-owned Russian Railways company within the framework of the BRICS Business Council," Foreign Minister Lavrov explained.

"The BRICS Energy Research Platform (a joint initiative designed to strengthen energy security), which was established earlier, remains in operation. And we have no doubt that this year will bring additional tangible results in this area. However, this requires a huge effort to reform the entire energy framework of the BRICS countries," concluded Foreign Minister Lavrov.