"I consider your representative meeting an extremely important and relevant initiative. Neocolonialism is a shameful legacy of the centuries-long era of plunder and exploitation of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America, and other regions of the planet. We see its aggressive manifestations today in the attempts of the collective West to maintain its dominance and supremacy by any means, to economically subjugate other countries, to deprive them of their sovereignty, to impose foreign values and cultural traditions," the Russian leader said in his speech read at the event.
"And today we are ready to join forces in the struggle for true freedom and justice, for the progress of all countries and peoples, for the formation of a democratic multipolar world based on the principles of international law, respect for each other's legitimate interests, mutual trust, and creative cooperation," he added.