Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a plenary session as part of the 21st annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club titled 'Lasting peace on what basis? Common security and equal opportunities for development in the 21st century' in Sochi, Krasnodar region, Russia, 07 November 2024. MAXIM SHIPENKOV/Pool via REUTERS
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday described NATO as a "blatant anachronism" which was needed by the United States in order to dominate its zone of influence.
Putin, setting out his world view in a speech to a conference of Russia experts, said the alliance was subject to "the diktat of the older brother", meaning the U.S.
He contrasted that with the BRICS group of countries, which held a summit in Russia last month and which Putin held out as an example of constructive cooperation.
(Reporting by Reuters)
