· person

Dilma Rousseff on Vladimir Putin

BRICS development partner (strong)

TL;DR

Dilma Rousseff maintains a professional, institutionally focused relationship with Vladimir Putin primarily through BRICS and the New Development Bank.

Key Points

  • The two leaders met on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 18, 2025.

  • Rousseff thanked Putin for proposing her candidacy for re-election as the President of the New Development Bank.

  • They have jointly discussed enhancing settlements in national currencies, a priority for BRICS economies, across several meetings since 2024.

Summary

Dilma Rousseff, in her capacity as President of the New Development Bank (NDB), engages directly with Vladimir Putin, who is noted as the BRICS Chair Country in 2024. These interactions occur on the sidelines of major forums, such as the St Petersburg International Economic Forum and BRICS Summits, indicating a pragmatic working relationship centered on multilateral finance and development goals. During these meetings, the two leaders discuss key initiatives like expanding the possibility of settlements in national currencies and developing digital platforms for such transactions, which are mutual priorities for the BRICS bloc.

Her public statements focus on the institutional mandate of the NDB, particularly mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in emerging markets and the Global South, a view acknowledged by the Russian President. Rousseff thanked the Russian Federation for supporting her re-election as the NDB head, underscoring the continuation of this functional partnership. The context of their relationship is rooted in the BRICS framework, where both figures seek to advance financial independence for member states and promote cooperation within the bloc, including the expansion of the NDB's membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dilma Rousseff's position on Vladimir Putin is defined by their professional engagement as leaders of key multilateral institutions, specifically the New Development Bank and the rotating BRICS leadership. She maintains a pragmatic stance, focusing on shared financial and development goals within the BRICS framework. Her interactions are centered on institutional cooperation rather than broader political commentary.

There is no public indication that Dilma Rousseff has changed her stance on Vladimir Putin, as her engagement appears consistently professional and institution-driven. Her relationship remains formalized through her role as NDB President and Putin's association with BRICS. Any evolution appears to be in the scope of their shared institutional work rather than a change in personal sentiment.

In a recent meeting, Dilma Rousseff thanked Vladimir Putin for his support in her re-election as the NDB President and expressed happiness to be in St Petersburg for the third time for the economic forum. She affirmed her commitment to working with him on shared goals, such as funding in local currencies and expanding the bank's membership.

Sources4

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.