At the anniversary plenary session of the Valdai International Debate Club, Vladimir Putin once again outlined his ideas on the multipolar world order, the role of BRICS, his country's relationship with the West and the conflict in Ukraine.

At the same time, we heard a relatively cautious assessment of the American elections from the Russian president, during which he congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a traditional speech to the Valdai Club, the main theses of which were as follows:

• The previous world order has irretrievably ended.

"In a sense, the moment of truth is approaching. The old world order has irrevocably ended, and a serious, irreconcilable struggle is unfolding for the establishment of a new world order. It is irreconcilable, above all because it is not a struggle for power or geopolitical influence. Rather, it is a clash of principles on which the relations between countries and peoples will be built in the next historical phase"

- emphasized the Russian president.

• There is a struggle for the formation of the new world order, the essence of which, however, is not so much a struggle for power as a clash of principles that will shape the relationship between nations in the future.

"There seems to be no alternative to this. At first glance. But unfortunately there is. This is the actual rejection of humanity's descent into aggressive anarchy, internal and external divisions, the loss of traditional values, new forms of tyranny, the classic principles of democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms."

he emphasized.

• There can be no question of any kind of hegemony in the future.

"I have already said that we have reached a dangerous limit. The fact that the West is calling for the strategic defeat of Russia, the country with the largest nuclear arsenal, shows the outrageous appetite of Western politicians. At least some of them. Such blind faith in their own impunity and exceptionalism can lead to world tragedy"

Putin emphasized, adding that at the same time, the former hegemons are increasingly surprised to find that they no longer obey them.

• Russia does not see Western civilization as an enemy.

Instead of recognizing the futility of their efforts, some Western elites are ready to do anything to prevent the emergence of a new international system that is in the interests of the majority of the world. In the politics of the United States and its allies, for example, in recent years, the principle of "if not with us, then against us" has become increasingly noticeable. This is very dangerous

warned the Russian president.

• Currently, the global minority is fighting to preserve its own hegemony.

I would like to emphasize: unlike our opponents, Russia does not consider Western civilization as an enemy and does not ask the question "us or them". I repeat once again: "he who is not with us is against us" - we never say that. We don't want to teach anyone anything, we don't want to impose our worldview on anyone

Putin said.

• Every country has the right to choose its own political system, there cannot be a single worldview that is imposed on everyone. The world of the future will not be polycentric as much as it will be polyphonic.

"The West has really accumulated enormous human, intellectual, cultural and material resources, thanks to which it can develop successfully and remain one of the most important elements of the world system. But it is precisely »one of many«, equal to other actively developing states and groups of countries. Hegemony is out of the question in the new international environment. And when […] they understand and recognize this irrefutable, immutable fact, then the process of building a world system that meets the challenges of the future will finally enter the stage of true creation"

he stated.

The Russian president also spoke about the fact that:

• NATO's operation today is an anachronism;

• BRICS is a good example of constructive cooperation;

• in the field of economy and security, international politics remained neo-colonial. The most dangerous thing today is arrogance, but this is not characteristic of Russia;

• Western countries use Ukraine to get rid of the Russians;

• Russia has never initiated the use of force, but if necessary, it will do everything for its protection;

• Russia's existence is the key to the world's successful development, and it is currently fighting not only for its own sovereignty and rights, but also for the sovereignty and rights of the majority of countries in the world;

Finally, he repeatedly emphasized the importance of openness and peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation, and spoke out against artificial obstacles in the economy.

Overall, the speech fits the mood of the BRICS summit in Kazan, which also laid the foundations for an alternative or reformed globalization agenda.

Featured image: MTI/EPA/Maksim Sipenkov