No position on Ukraine, bloc calls for mediation

The Brics grouping on Thursday steered clear of taking a position on the Ukraine crisis, with member states only saying that they welcome mediation aimed at resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

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The Johannesburg II Declaration issued at the conclusion of the Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Summit expressed concern at "ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world" and sought peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and consultations.

The declaration referred to the national positions of Brics states "concerning the conflict in and around Ukraine as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UNSC and UNGA". It also noted that "with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, including the African Leaders Peace Mission and the proposed path for peace".

China and Russia have opposed all references to the Ukraine conflict in outcome documents of G20 meetings while India has refrained from publicly censuring the Russian invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin didn't attend the Brics summit in Johannesburg in-person after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with the Ukraine conflict.