In terms of the war in Ukraine, the member states of the Brics Group, which includes China, Brazil, India and South Africa, stand out for their ambiguous positions. But they also try to mediate.

Efforts by leading Western countries to isolate Russia have found little support, especially among the member nations of the Brics Group. Not only does Russia itself belong to this association of Brics countries alongside China, but other members Brazil, India, and South Africa have also taken positions that the West considers to be at least somewhat ambiguous.

These ranged from India’s massive import of Russian oil to the close ties between leading politicians in South Africa and Russia, which emerged not least from the anti-apartheid struggle, to remarks by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, which were deemed politically irksome. , accusing Europe of complicity in Ukraine -assignment of war.

At the same time, it became clear that the Brics member states of the Global South made repeated attempts to initiate mediation between the warring parties and establish appropriate lines of conversation. This includes trips by the presidents of leading African countries to Kiev and Moscow, as well as the latest secret meeting of the Brics (excluding Russia) with Ukraine and Western government officials in Copenhagen.

This commitment is sometimes perceived with astonishment in Europe, but this attitude underestimates the extent to which countries in the Global South are affected by shortages and rising prices in grain shipments and fertilizer supplies; the Brics increasingly see themselves as supporters of these interests and representatives of the Global South. In their view, the West is incapable of resolving the conflicts it has created on its own. It is a clear sign for the Brics that the world has become multipolar, it is re-balancing and the old ways of the West cannot do justice to the new situation.

The prospect of extending membership to Brics+ underscores this claim. The group’s vision is to provide global leadership in a world torn apart by global geopolitical tensions, inequality and insecurity.

However, self-interest to expand its own relevance towards a post-Western world order and internal rivalries (eg between China and India) can preclude the often-defined role of mediator. On the other hand, Brics’ practice of making multiple and flexible agreements without rigid rules is a plus point in this path.

But how important are the nations of the Brics? The Brics want to lend their diplomatic skills – that is what Brazil and India strive for with their internationally tried and tested foreign policy apparatuses. As partners of Russia in the Brics alliance and thanks to their neutral stance, these countries see themselves in a better position to overcome the existing blockade in the talks. They have not declared Putin a pariah and adhered to the strict Brics rule that association members do not criticize one another. Moreover, together with China, they consider that the time has come to bring about a change in the international order in which Russia can then also find a new place while saving face.

In this regard, a shift in international emphasis is seen as one incentive that can offer a meaningful starting point for peace talks. The fact that the Brics met with representatives of Western governments at a secret meeting in Copenhagen at the invitation of Ukraine without Russia’s participation confirms the assessment that the Brics can offer a suitable forum to start peace talks.

In perspective, the upcoming Brics summit in South Africa may offer Putin a welcome geopolitical platform to show he has friends elsewhere, but it could also be another step in the Brics’ peace strategy. India’s G20 presidencies this year and Brazil the following year also provide an opportunity to resume talks.

Gunther Maihold is a professor at the Institute of Latin America at the Free University of Berlin and researches, among other things, on the Brics group of countries. He is Deputy Director of the Foundation for Science and Politics until June 2023.