Find out what BRICS said about Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria and Haiti

Block defends political-diplomatic measures to reduce conflicts

Much of the final statement of the 17th BRICS summit, published on Sunday (6), was dedicated to the theme of peace and war, with demonstrations about part of the main conflicts ongoing in the world. In addition to the Palestinian and Iran issue, BRICS has spoken out about wars in Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan and instability in Syria and North Africa.

“We call on the international community to respond to these challenges and associated security threats through political-diplomatic measures to reduce conflict potential and emphasize the need for engagement in conflict prevention efforts, including facing its deep causes,” the Rio de Janeiro declaration of BRICS 2025.

The document makes a single mention of Ukraine, invaded by Russia, one of the permanent members of the BRICS. The document states that the countries have recalled their “national positions” regarding the conflict and ask for a negotiated exit.

“We have appreciated relevant mediation proposals and good offices, including the creation of the African Peace Initiative and the Group of Friends for Peace, focused on the peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. We hope that current efforts will lead to a sustainable peace agreement,” the document has reported Ukraine.

In speech during the opening of the event this Sunday (6), President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva remembered the conviction of Brazil to the invasion of Ukraine. “It is urgent that the parties involved in the war in Ukraine deepen direct dialogue with a view to a ceasefire and lasting peace,” said the Brazilian president.

At the same time, the Brics final statement also condemned Ukrainian attacks against Russian territory. “We condemned the attacks on bridges and railway infrastructure that have deliberately aimed at Bryansk, Kursk and Voronezh in the Russian Federation on May 31 and June 1, 2025, resulting in several civilian victims, including children,” the group said.

Military expenses

The bloc also expressed “apprehension” by the current trend of increasing military spending, “to the detriment of proper financing for the development of developing countries.”

Recently, the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which mainly brings together European countries, Turkey and the United States (USA), announced the increase in military spending up to 5% of the GDP of each nation. The only one who rejected the decision was Spain.

Regarding Syria, the BRICS has asked Israel to leave the occupied Syrian territories and condemned recent terrorist attacks in the country, including the persecution against ethnic minorities.

“We condemned the widespread violence perpetrated in several provinces of Syria, among the communities of the country, the continuation of the terrorist activities of the Islamic State (Da’esh) and affiliates of al-Qaeda in Syria, including the recent attack on the Mar Church Elias and the town of Rif Dimashq, and express our sincere condolences and solidarity to the families of victims,” ​​says the statement.

Syria has recorded episodes of sectarian violence after former President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by coalition of insurgent groups sponsored by foreign powers after 13 years of civil war. Internal instability puts at risk the territorial integrity of the Middle East country.

The BRICS also praised the US announcement of lifting sanctions against the country and asked Israel to leave the Syrian territory.

“By vehemently condemning the occupation of parts of the Syrian Territory, in the act of violation of international law and the 1974 disagreement agreement, we urged Israel to remove, without delay, its forces from the Syrian territory,” the document concludes.

Lebanon

The Rio de Janeiro Declaration of the BRICS still celebrated the ceasefire sewn in Lebanon, but condemned the violations of the agreement by Israel.

“We ask Israel to respect the terms agreed with the Lebanese government and remove its occupation forces from all over Lebanese territory, including from the five locations in southern Lebanon where they still remain,” the countries said.

Haiti

The group also expressed concern about the situation of Haiti, which suffers from a serious social, economic and security crisis, with armed gangs controlling more than 80% of the capital, Porto Prince.

“The current crisis requires a solution led by Haitians who covers national dialogue and the construction of consensus between local political forces, institutions and society, and we ask the international community to support Haitian efforts to dismantle gangs, improve the security situation and establish the foundations for lasting social and economic development in the country,” Brics said, adding that he supports the role of UN in Haitian crisis.

Sudan

Another point of concern expressed in the final statement was in relation to Sudan, an African country that lives a tearing civil war with millions of people in emergency situations.

“We express profound concern about the situation in Sudan, which resulted in a humanitarian crisis and increasing risk of proliferation of extremism and terrorism. We reiterate our positions in this regard and appeal to an immediate ceasefire,” the document says.

BRICS adds other conflicts that affect Africa, in particular, the northern region of the continent. “We express profound concern about the serious humanitarian crises resulting from new and prolonged conflicts armed in some regions of Africa, particularly the devastating effects of conflicts on Sudan, the great lakes and horn of Africa,” he says.

The block of countries considers that solutions to these conflicts should favor the leadership of Africans, with a highlighted role for African Union (UA), which unifies the more than 50 states of the continent.

“We recognize the fundamental role played by the African Union in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict and reaffirm our support for African peace efforts on the continent, including those undertaken by the African Union and African subregional organizations,” says the final document of the BRICS summit in Rio.

Originally published by Agência Brasil on 07/07/2025

By Lucas Pordeus León – Rio de Janeiro

Edition: Juliana Cézar Nunes