Putin’s Pivot: Russia Denies Anti Dollar Drive While Betting Big on BRICS Trade

In a world where financial dominance often amounts to geopolitical power, Russia’s recent public posture is drawing sharp scrutiny.

As whispers of an “anti-dollar” agenda circulate, President Vladimir Putin has stepped forward to push back insisting that Moscow is not crusading against the U.S. dollar,

but responding to constraints by expanding trade in other currencies through BRICS.

In this article, I unpack Russia’s message, the mechanics behind the BRICS agenda, and whether this strategy might actually reshape global trade dynamics.

 Russia Rejects “Anti-Dollar” Narrative

At a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin declared: “We do not hold any anti-dollar campaign, anti-dollar policy.

Not at all!” Putin argued that Russia is not waging an anti-dollar crusade, but simply forced by external pressures to settle trade in national currencies. He added,

“We are simply prevented from paying in dollars. What should we do? We pay in national currencies.”

This denial is central. The Kremlin wants foreign audiences (and domestic skeptics) to believe that Russia’s move toward currency diversification is pragmatic, not ideological.

Putin reinforced that BRICS policies “do not build up such policy against anyone” but aim for mutual benefit.

🛠 BRICS Strategy: Diversify, Not Demonize

Local Currencies & Payment Tools

Russia is positioning BRICS as a framework to shift away from dollar dominance but not out of animus. The bloc is pushing for more trade in national currencies and expanding systems like BRICS Pay, which allow cross-border payments in local money without relying solely on dollar infrastructure.

Analysts point out that nearly half of intra-BRICS trade already takes place in national currencies. Meanwhile, proposals like a BRICS “bridge” payment messaging architecture and even a shared “BRICS unit” (sometimes conceived as gold-backed) are under discussion—though uptake and enthusiasm have varied.

Facing U.S. Dollar “Weaponization”

A recurring theme is that the anti-dollar language often comes from critics who interpret BRICS shifts as hostile to Washington. Russia argues the real fight is against the weaponization of the dollar: that is, how sanctions and dollar control are wielded as tools of pressure. Putin has framed the move as defensive rather than offensive.

For example, one senior Russian official stated: “If the U.S. uses force to compel countries to use the dollar, it will further strengthen the trend of switching to national currencies.” Brazilian President Lula, meanwhile, affirmed BRICS’ commitment to reduce dollar hegemony, saying “BRICS+ is committed to ending U.S. dollar hegemony no matter what.”

🌐 Opportunities & Obstacles on the Path to Change

Strengths

• Reduced sanction vulnerability: Moving away from dollar-denominated systems lowers exposure to U.S. financial pressure.

• South–South strength: Expanded BRICS membership (now 10 nations including Egypt, Iran, UAE, Ethiopia) bolsters political weight.

• Incremental adoption: Russia’s approach isn’t to flip a switch overnight. Putin himself has acknowledged that alternatives are “more a medium- to long-term ambition.”

Challenges

• Dollar’s ingrained dominance: Liquidity, trust, and infrastructure anchored in the U.S. dollar remain massive barriers.

• Divergent BRICS priorities: India and China have been cautious about fully embracing radical shifts. At the 2024 Kazan summit, finance ministers of key BRICS nations notably skipped some of the new-payment discussions.

• Practical coordination: Differences in monetary policy, regulation, and banking frameworks complicate unified action.

🗣 Voices From the Arena

• Putin: “We do not hold any anti-dollar campaign … We are simply prevented from paying in dollars.”

• Russian officials: “If the U.S. uses force to compel countries to use the dollar, it will further strengthen the trend of switching to national currencies.”

• Lula da Silva: “BRICS+ is committed to ending U.S. dollar hegemony no matter what.”

✅ Final Thoughts

Russia’s rejection of anti-dollar rhetoric isn’t purely semantics—it signals a deliberate repositioning. Its defense is rooted in portraying BRICS as a cooperative alternative, not a financial war chest. Still, transforming the global monetary order is a steep climb. The anti-dollar narrative may linger, but in practice, Russia’s play is one of diversification and strategic endurance. The real test will come as BRICS moves from concept to execution—if that journey bears real change, the world could see the beginning of new financial tectonics.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “anti-dollar” mean in this context?
It refers to claims that Russia or BRICS is actively seeking to undermine or eliminate the U.S. dollar’s role in global trade. Russia denies this, asserting it’s adapting to constraints.

2. What is BRICS Pay?
BRICS Pay is a decentralized payment messaging system designed to facilitate cross-border trade in national currencies among BRICS members, reducing dependence on dollar-based systems.

3. Why can’t the dollar be easily displaced?
Because of its deep liquidity, institutional trust, and established infrastructure (SWIFT, central banks, global reserves), the U.S. dollar remains the go-to vehicle for many global trades.

4. Will this shift succeed in my country?
That depends on your country’s banking frameworks, trade relationships, and willingness to adopt local currency trade. Some nations may move faster; others may hold back.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Anti-dollar: An approach or narrative suggesting active opposition to the U.S. dollar in global finance.

• Dedollarisation: The process of reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar in trade, reserves, or payments.

• BRICS: A bloc of emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus newer members—that aim to promote multipolar balance.

• BRICS Pay: A joint payment messaging mechanism intended to support transactions in national currencies among BRICS states.

Sources

• “Russia does not wage anti-dollar campaign — Putin,” TASS

• “BRICS Pushes Alternatives to Counter U.S. Dollar Weaponization,” AInvest

• “Vladimir Putin’s alternative to ‘weaponised’ dollar fails to excite Brics partners,” Financial Times

• “Putin says existing BRICS infrastructure is enough for cross-border payments,” Reuters

• “Putin says globalisation is obsolete and the future belongs to emerging markets,” Reuters

• “Financial cooperation and BRICS expansion are on the table as Putin hosts Global South leaders,” AP News