Expansion of BRICS national currencies is a priority, says Putin after meeting with Dilma.

247 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday (18) that he expects cooperation with the New Development Bank (NDB) to expand the possibility of liquidity in national currencies of BRICS countries and to create an investment platform for the group. The Russian leader met this afternoon in St. Petersburg with the NDB President, Dilma Rousseff. The bank recently approved and financed around 120 projects worth US$39 billion (approximately R$214,5 billion).

The meeting opens a series of meetings between heads of state at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "There are issues that require special attention. In view of expanding the possibility of liquidity in national currencies and new joint efforts to create a digital platform for liquidity and investment," Putin said at the meeting.

The Russian leader noted that these issues were also discussed at the last BRICS leaders' summit. "I know you support all these initiatives. And I very much hope that we will work together in these areas," added Putin, who also congratulated Dilma on her re-election as president of the institution.

The NDB chairwoman thanked the Russian president for his support and pledged to do her best to perform her duties as effectively as possible.

"First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation. It is with great satisfaction that I am here in St. Petersburg, at the International Economic Forum, for the third time. I would also like to thank Russia for its support of my candidacy for re-election as president of the NDB. For my part, I will do my utmost, I will make every effort to fulfill my duties in this position in the best possible way," said Dilma.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held from June 18-21. The main theme of SPIEF 2025 is Common Values ​​– the Basis for Growth in a Multipolar World (with Sputnik).