Putin Calls Russia Top Sanctions Target, Escalates Anti-West Rhetoric in BRICS Speech

Putin acknowledged Russia is the world's largest sanctions target and intensified anti-Western rhetoric, framing BRICS as a counterweight to G7/NATO influence. This continues his established pattern of portraying Western pressure as illegitimate while rallying alternative blocs. The shift is rhetorical rather than policy-based, but signals sustained geopolitical confrontation.