World Leaders Call for Peace in Middle East and Ukraine at BRICS Summit in Russia
At the BRICS summit in Russia on Wednesday, world leaders urged for peace in both the Middle East and Ukraine, with Russian President Vladimir Putin stating he welcomed offers to mediate in the Ukraine conflict.
The summit, held in the central city of Kazan, marks Russia’s largest diplomatic gathering since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Despite Putin’s efforts to frame the event as evidence that Western attempts to isolate Moscow have failed, some of his key partners made direct appeals for an end to the Ukraine war.
The BRICS group, originally formed in 2009 with members Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has since expanded to include nations such as South Africa, Egypt, and Iran. In a joint statement, BRICS members expressed deep concern about ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, including criticism of Israeli attacks on UN staff in southern Lebanon, while urging the preservation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity.
During the plenary session, several leaders called for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution to conflicts in both regions. President Masoud Pezeshkian called for the collective efforts of BRICS nations to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Similarly, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his call for a ceasefire, urging an end to the violence and a push towards a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also emphasized the need to avoid further escalation in the Middle East and Ukraine, aligning with the summit’s overall call for diplomatic resolutions.
