Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denounced as completely empty and worthless an upcoming international conference where a peace plan proposed by Ukraine will be discussed. Moscow will not take part in the gathering.
Lavrov made the remark on Tuesday, after he attended a two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers. The conference was held in the western Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod.
The BRICS group includes Russia, China, India and other emerging countries. Iran, the United Arab Emirates and others joined the group this year.
Lavrov said that the number of countries interested in working with BRICS is steadily growing. He noted the figure is already approaching 30.
The foreign minister denounced the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which will take place in Switzerland on Saturday and Sunday.
Lavrov's remark comes as western countries are bolstering their support for Ukraine. The Group of Seven nations is expected to discuss the issue at a summit in Italy. The meeting will begin on Thursday.
Russia is stepping up diplomatic efforts with the recently expanded BRICS group of nations and the emerging and developing countries that are collectively known as the Global South.