"We highly appreciate the fact that Russia has many partners in different regions and on different continents. We sincerely value the historically strong, friendly, and truly trusting ties with the nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America. And we will strengthen them in every possible way," Putin said in a video address to an international meeting of high-ranking security officials.
"All this is accompanied by a buildup of military potential, a show of force, unceremonious interference in the affairs of independent countries, as well as attempts to extract one-sided advantages from the energy and food crises fomented by the United States and a number of Western states," the head of state added.
"I have said this more than once, and I will reiterate it again: our country is ready for the closest interaction with all interested states in confronting common threats and common challenges that humanity faces today," he stressed.