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Kremlin Says BRICS Not Anti‑Western as Russia Moves Most Trade to National Currencies

Moscow says the shift responds to Western sanctions that have limited dollar and euro access and has proposed a BRICS grain exchange before the New Delhi leaders' summit.

Overview

  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that BRICS is “against no one” and confirmed that more than 90% of Russia’s transactions with BRICS partners are now settled in national currencies.
  • Russia says the change is practical, not ideological, and results from measures that restricted its use of the dollar and euro, including SWIFT exclusions and freezes of foreign reserves.
  • Peskov rejected a coordinated campaign to ‘de‑dollarise’ while saying Moscow remains open to any payment method and blaming U.S. use of the dollar for sanctions for eroding confidence in the currency.
  • As part of deeper cooperation, Peskov announced a proposed BRICS grain exchange intended to boost commodity trade and contribute to global food security ahead of the New Delhi summit.
  • If national‑currency settlements persist, experts say the move could reshape trade finance and reserve patterns over time, so delegates will focus on payment mechanisms and institutional steps at the Sept. 12–13 summit.