West using conflicts to disrupt BRICS rise – Bolivian leader

Western states led by the US provoke wars to make profit and preserve a “decaying” unipolar world order, Bolivian President Luis Arce has told RT. In contrast, BRICS countries represent an emerging, more equal global order, he said.

Arce cited the recent Iran-Israel escalation and the Ukraine conflict, alleging that Western officials deliberately exaggerated threats – such as claims that Russia could attack the EU – to provoke fear and justify escalation.

“These claptrap statements that provoked the war between Russia and Ukraine are the same statements that led to mutual attacks between Israel and Iran. They follow the same logic, they want to provoke the BRICS countries to take retaliatory actions,” Arce told RT at the BRICS Summit in Brazil.

“We all understand that wars benefit one country – the US, which is the main supplier of weapons. This sector... stimulates the American economy, which is in decline. The Americans have always sought to unleash wars, because for them it is a way to solve economic problems,” Arce added.

He claimed that the US and EU realize they are losing influence and are trying to block emerging power centers.

“The BRICS countries are playing an increasingly important role… There is a clear struggle between the old stagnant bloc of the US and Europe on one side and the emerging bloc of BRICS countries on the other,” the Bolivian leader stated.

Arce said his country rejects unipolarity and promotes multilateralism.

“We no longer believe that the planet should be dominated by one country… The fact that more and more countries want to join the BRICS group is a convincing proof that the world embraces the principle of multilateralism,” the Bolivian leader stated. He added that BRICS does not make subordinates of its members, but allows them all to benefit from mutual cooperation.

BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, and later added South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Indonesia. At last year’s summit in Kazan, the group introduced a ‘partner country’ status after receiving over 30 membership applications.

In their declaration at the Rio summit that started on Sunday, BRICS leaders backed a multipolar world, UN Security Council reform, and fairer global finance. They called for IMF and World Bank reforms, stronger trade among BRICS states, expanded use of local currencies, and alternative payment systems.