Putin Seeks Brics Alliance to Combat US Economic Sanctions

Russia will urge leaders of the world's biggest emerging economies to agree to a range of measures to prevent "sanction attacks" by the United States, according to President Vladimir Putin.

Putin would urge leaders from Brazil, China, India and South Africa to reflect on the asset freezes and travel bans imposed on a range of individuals and businesses with ties to the Kremlin in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea in March.

"Recently Russia has been exposed to a sanction attack by the United States and its allies," Putin said, as quoted by Itar-Tass news agency.

"Together we should think about a system of measures that would help prevent the harassment of countries that do not agree with some foreign policy decisions made by the United States and their allies, but would promote a civilised dialogue on all points at issue based on mutual respect."

While Putin gave no specific policy measures, he called on the Brics to cooperate at the United Nations and work together on security issues, while using their influence to counter American hegemony in international affairs.

"Any attempt to create a model of international relations where all decisions are made within a single 'pole' ineffective, malfunction regularly, and are ultimately set to fail," Putin said, as quoted by Itar-Tass.

Brics leaders will begin a two-day summit in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza on Tuesday.

They are expected to announce the establishment of a new development bank, likely to be based in Shanghai, among other cooperative measures.