Critics condemn assaults directed towards Russia, a stance shared by the BRICS nations.
In the coastal metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the BRICS summit is currently underway, bringing together nations such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine was a notable absence in the discussions, with the joint statement issued by the Brics nations condemning Ukrainian attacks on Russia "in the strongest terms."
The statement, which was deliberately vague and watered down to accommodate differing viewpoints among BRICS members, made minimal reference to the broader Russia-Ukraine war and avoided explicit criticism of Russia’s military actions against Ukraine. This selective condemnation can be attributed to several key factors.
Political Alignments Within BRICS
BRICS comprises countries with divergent geopolitical stances. Russia, a founding member, has actively opposed Western narratives regarding Ukraine. China, which typically supports Russia diplomatically, also favors a non-interventionist or more restrained approach toward criticizing Russia’s actions. In contrast, members like Brazil and India generally emphasize non-alignment and avoid taking sides that could provoke major powers or upset bilateral relations.
Diplomatic Balancing and Neutrality Concerns
Brazil, as the summit host in 2025, reportedly sought to keep the summit’s discussions and declarations as technical and non-controversial as possible, likely to avoid provoking global powers like the United States or exacerbating existing tensions. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s absence in person (he participated via videoconference due to his ICC indictment) may also have influenced the language used regarding Ukraine.
Omission of Criticism of Russia
The summit’s joint declaration refrained from directly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or its ongoing military campaign. This is consistent with a pattern in which Russia’s actions have often been shielded from explicit reproach within BRICS forums. The sole direct reference to Ukraine in the 31-page document condemned Ukrainian attacks on Russia, while Russia’s own military actions went unaddressed.
Distraction by Other Geopolitical Issues
The summit focused significantly on other global issues, such as condemning increased tariffs (implicitly targeting the United States), criticizing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and expressing concerns about the Middle East. These topics overshadowed detailed discussions about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In summary, the BRICS nations condemned Ukrainian attacks on Russia while refraining from criticizing Russia’s own actions due to a combination of internal political alignments, efforts to maintain neutrality, and a desire to avoid inflaming geopolitical tensions. This approach is consistent with the bloc’s broader strategy of balancing between the interests of its diverse members and avoiding direct confrontation with major global powers.
| Statement Topic | Condemnation/Reference | Notable Exclusions | |-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------| | Ukrainian Attacks on Russia | Condemned in the "strongest terms" | — | | Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine | Not explicitly addressed | Direct criticism avoided | | Middle East (including Gaza) | Grave concern, call for negotiations | — | | Increased Tariffs | Condemned as inconsistent with WTO | — |
- Although the BRICS statement issued strong condemnation for Ukrainian attacks on Russia, it did not similarly address war-and-conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, highlighting the bloc's selective approach to global crises.
- As the situation between Russia and Ukraine was a notable absence in discussions during the BRICS summit, other topics, like politics and general news, concerning Gaza and increased tariffs, were given significant focus, demonstrating the bloc's strategic prioritization of different geopolitical issues.
