Global Fault Lines: Putin Positions SCO and BRICS as Anti-Sanctions Blocs

President Vladimir Putin is working to solidify global fault lines by positioning the SCO and BRICS as formal anti-sanctions blocs. In his remarks before the Tianjin summit, he repeatedly condemned Western “discriminatory sanctions” and called for a united front to oppose them.
Putin argued that these economic penalties are not just a tool against Russia but are a systemic threat to the development of all emerging economies. He stressed that Russia and China share a “common stand” on this issue and are working to “strengthen BRICS’ ability” to counter these pressures.
This effort aims to institutionalize opposition to sanctions within these non-Western groups. By doing so, Putin hopes to create a collective defense mechanism where an economic attack on one member is seen as an attack on all, thereby raising the political cost for the US and EU to use such measures.
The SCO summit is a key opportunity to advance this agenda. Putin will urge member states to adopt a more unified and assertive stance, transforming the organization into a powerful coalition that actively defends the economic sovereignty of its members in a “fairer world order.”