Vladimir Putin: “Unipolar world order is unjust, balance of power is shifting rapidly”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again questioned the relevance of the existing unipolar world order, calling it unjust and outdated. Speaking at a press conference following his four-day official visit to China, Putin underlined that the global balance of power is now changing and argued strongly in favor of a multipolar system, where no single country can impose its dominance over others in matters of politics, economics, or security.
According to Putin, the time has come for nations to embrace equality in international relations and move away from a system where one or two powers dictate terms to the rest of the world. He pointed out that organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have already been working on the principle of collective decision-making, which is in line with the multipolar vision of global governance.
“Unipolar system must end, equality is the only path forward”
In his remarks, Putin stressed that the unipolar world order is fundamentally unfair and does not reflect today’s geopolitical and economic realities. He clarified that Russia is not pursuing policies based on the will of a dominant majority but rather on a principle — the principle that all countries, irrespective of their size or power, should have an equal say in global affairs.
He further explained that while there are visible signs of a multipolar world emerging, it is still in the process of development. “We cannot yet say that the multipolar system has been fully established,” Putin said. “But what is absolutely clear is that in this new order, no country should have the right to act as a hegemon or claim superiority over others. Neither BRICS nor the SCO support such dominance.”
“Economic power does not justify global dominance”
Highlighting the rising influence of countries like India and China, Putin acknowledged that the global balance is shifting in favor of emerging economies. However, he issued a cautionary note, making it clear that economic strength alone does not give any nation the right to dominate global politics or security frameworks.
“Yes, India and China are economically powerful nations,” Putin said. “Russia too is counted among the world’s top four economies in terms of purchasing power parity. These are not claims, but figures confirmed by international organizations. However, economic strength must not translate into political dominance. We do not believe that any country, regardless of its wealth, should exercise control over others. Equality is the foundation of a just world order.”
Putin’s statement seen as criticism of US and Western sanctions
Observers believe that Putin’s sharp remarks were a direct response to Western sanctions imposed on Russia and to the tariff-driven policies of the United States. The economic restrictions, particularly those enforced by Washington, have strained Russia’s international trade and deepened its differences with the West.
Putin’s comments also come at a time when the US tariff policy under President Donald Trump has triggered tensions with major economies, including India and China. For example, the US has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, along with an additional 25 percent levy on crude oil imports from Russia, creating significant challenges for global trade stability.
A positive visit to China and talks with PM Modi
Reflecting on his China trip, Putin described the visit as “very positive and productive,” emphasizing that the documents signed by all participants were “visionary and future-oriented.” He highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation within multilateral platforms and reiterated his belief that such forums represent the future of international diplomacy.
During his engagements, Putin also shared that he had an informal discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while traveling together from the SCO summit venue to the hotel for their bilateral meeting. According to Putin, he briefed Modi about his recent conversation with former US President Donald Trump in Alaska. “This is no secret,” he added. “I openly told Prime Minister Modi about our discussion with Trump.”
