"Putin's Strong Opposition to Sanctions on Russia Echoes at South Africa Economic Summit"

Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced "illegitimate sanctions" on Russia during a prerecorded speech at an economic summit in South Africa, threatening to permanently cut off Ukraine's grain exports unless restrictions on Russian food and agricultural products are eased. Putin criticized the West for punishing and isolating Russia financially, accusing them of trampling upon free trade norms. Chinese President Xi Jinping also expressed confrontation towards a country obsessed with maintaining its hegemony, likely referring to the United States. The summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies aims to discuss a possible expansion of the bloc, with over 20 countries expressing interest in joining.