Putin goads the West

VLADIMIR Putin goaded the West yesterday as he met with world leaders including China's President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

- Mark Reynolds

Despite an international arrest warrant having been issued for his detention by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Russian leader was the centre of attention after welcoming 20 heads of state at the 16th annual Brics summit of emerging economies to show that the West's pressure and sanctions are not working.

And in a snub to Sir Keir Starmer, senior members from major Commonwealth countries, including India, sent senior leaders to the event instead of the Heads of Government summit in Samoa.

And Mr Xi told the President Putin that although the world was in chaos, their friendship would "endure".