The concluding statement of Thursday’s BRICS foreign ministers meeting does not condemn Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine, avoids even the word “war” and insists that only a peaceful solution must be achieved.

But in his opening speech at the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the emerging economies bloc to reject the “Cold War mentality” and confrontation. The tone was interpreted as a message against the scale of tension, which Beijing says is being run by Western powers.

The group of Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa is gaining international attention, while Europeans and Americans are trying to determine whether the bloc will act together to defend the Kremlin’s interests.

Citing NATO, Xi warned against attempts by foreign governments to “seek their own security at the expense of others”. According to him, “this will only create new tensions and risks, as history and facts prove”.

In recent months, the Russians and Chinese have deepened their cooperation and have begun to act together to question the US and European stance on the war in Ukraine. For the Chinese, they need to follow their interests and “respect sovereignty”.

China also used the event to recommend that governments of emerging economies “strengthen mutual political trust and security cooperation, and maintain close communication and coordination on key international and regional issues.”

According to a statement from the Chinese government, Xi said the bloc should “also oppose hegemonism and power politics, reject the Cold War mentality and bloc conflict”. In Chinese diplomacy, attacks on “hegemonic” behavior are Beijing’s way of criticizing American actions around the world.

The word “war” is omitted

In a joint statement, the BRICS countries mentioned Ukraine and insisted on rejecting any use of nuclear weapons. However, the text does not mention any condemnation of the Russian occupation and does not even use the word “war” to describe the events. In Moscow it is forbidden for the local press to use the term to describe what is happening in Ukraine.

But the final text simply states that “ministers recall their national position on the situation in Ukraine, as expressed in the appropriate forums, namely the Security Council and the UN General Assembly”. Brazil was represented by Chancellor Carlos França.

The governments also stated that the ministers “support negotiations between Russia and Ukraine”. “They also discussed their concerns about the humanitarian situation in and around Ukraine and expressed their support for the UN Secretary-General, the UN Agencies and the ICRC’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid in accordance with UN resolution 46/182”, the ministers added.

“Brazil advocated a peaceful and negotiated solution to the conflict, called for an urgent solution to the humanitarian crisis, and stressed the need to respect international law and the principles of the UN Charter,” Itamaraty said in a note.

Also, according to the government, the foreign ministers “expressed their concern about the economic recovery and international stability.” “They highlighted the negative impact of cut production chains and serious threats to food and energy security and sustainable development goals.”

BRICS sends message to Biden government: G20 must stay ‘solid’

There was a clear message for governments like the American government maneuvering to push Russia away from the G20. In the statement, BRICS ministers stressed that “global economic governance is crucial for countries to achieve sustainable development, and also recalled their support for expanding and strengthening the participation of emerging markets and developing countries in economic decision-making processes, international standards and standard-setting processes”.

According to the statement, governments “reaffirmed their support for the G20’s leading role in global economic governance and underlined the need for the G20 to remain robust and respond to current global challenges.”

In recent weeks, President Joe Biden has attempted to reiterate his strategy of promoting complete diplomatic isolation from Russia in the G20. Brazil and other developing countries opposed it.

The bloc also urges major developed countries to “adopt responsible economic policies, while managing the repercussions of these policies, to avoid serious impacts on developing countries”.