Leaders of the BRICS bloc gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for their summit, issuing a joint declaration on Sunday, July 6, 2025. The statement strongly criticized recent US and Israeli bombardments of Iran and condemned unilateral trade tariffs, policies seen as aimed at the United States. However, the declaration offered little direct comment on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia, a founding BRICS member, is engaged, instead criticizing Ukrainian attacks within Russia.
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Key outcomes from the summit declaration include sharp rebukes of actions in the Middle East, support for a Palestinian state, condemnation of protectionist trade policies without explicitly naming the US, and calls for reform of global governance. The summit also highlighted the bloc’s expansion and growing influence.
Who Are the BRICS Countries and Who Attended?
The BRICS bloc was initially formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010. In 2024, the group expanded significantly with the addition of Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, bringing the total membership to 10 nations.
The group positions itself as a voice for the Global South and represents a significant portion of the world’s population and economy. More than 30 countries have reportedly expressed interest in joining or partnering with the bloc. Argentina, which was expected to join, withdrew its application after a change in government.
Brazil hosted the 2025 summit, led by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. While most member states sent their heads of state, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian did not attend in person.
Premier Li Qiang represented China, while Russia and Iran were represented by their foreign ministers. President Putin has largely avoided international travel since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him. Brazil is an ICC member and would have been obligated to arrest him. Indonesia attended for the first time as a full member.
The summit also welcomed Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan as new BRICS partner countries, a status designed to foster closer cooperation without full membership.
Key Points from the BRICS Declaration
The joint declaration from the BRICS summit addressed a range of global issues, reflecting the diverse priorities and concerns of the member states.
Condemnation of US and Israeli Actions in Iran
BRICS members expressed “grave concern” over the security situation in the Middle East and described recent Israeli and American strikes on Iran as a “violation of international law.”
The conflict escalated in June 2025 with Israeli airstrikes targeting military, nuclear, and civilian sites in Iran, reportedly causing significant casualties. Iran responded with its own missile and drone attacks on Israel. The US supported Israeli strikes, including dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities shortly before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on June 24.
The declaration emphasized the importance of protecting nuclear facilities and upholding nuclear safeguards, particularly in areas affected by conflict.
Support for Palestinian Statehood and Aid
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the BRICS declaration reiterated strong support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position aligns with broad international consensus.
The bloc denounced the use of starvation as a tactic of war and opposed the militarization or politicization of humanitarian aid deliveries. BRICS expressed support for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which has faced challenges and restrictions.
The declaration follows over 20 months of conflict in Gaza, initiated after Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. The subsequent Israeli military campaign has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction.
Opposition to Unilateral Sanctions and Tariffs
The BRICS leaders strongly criticized the use of “unilateral coercive measures,” such as economic sanctions, stating they violate international law and negatively impact human rights and global trade. Member states Iran and Russia are currently subject to extensive US sanctions.
Leaders and representatives from BRICS nations gather for a group photo during the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025.
While not explicitly naming the United States, the declaration condemned “unilateral tariff and non-tariff barriers” that “skew global trade and flout WTO regulations.” This was widely interpreted as a critique of the protectionist trade policies advocated by former US President Donald Trump, who is expected to finalize new tariffs shortly after the summit.
President Trump responded swiftly on social media, warning that countries aligning with “Anti-American policies of BRICS” would face an additional 10% tariff without exception. The BRICS bloc expressed concern that such protectionist policies could reduce global trade, disrupt supply chains, and increase economic uncertainty, undermining global development goals. The BRICS economies are projected to grow faster than the global average in 2025 and include three of the world’s ten largest economies (China, India, and Brazil).
Stance on the Ukraine War
The lengthy BRICS declaration notably did not directly address Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Instead, it called for a “sustainable peace settlement” for the conflict.
However, the statement did condemn Ukrainian strikes targeting infrastructure within Russia during May and June 2025, citing civilian casualties and expressing strong opposition to these actions. This selective focus highlights the internal dynamics and differing perspectives within the BRICS group regarding the conflict.
Condemnation of Pahalgam Attack
The declaration included a strong condemnation of the attack in Pahalgam, India-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians two months prior to the summit.
While the statement urged “zero tolerance” for “terrorism” and rejected “double standards” in counterterrorism efforts, it did not specifically name Pakistan, which India has accused of supporting the perpetrators. India and Pakistan experienced a four-day conflict in May 2025 following Indian strikes in Pakistani territory. Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and called for an independent investigation.
Conclusion
The 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro produced a declaration that clearly outlined the bloc’s collective stance on several critical international issues, including sharp criticism of recent actions in the Middle East and explicit opposition to unilateral trade measures. The careful language regarding the Ukraine conflict underscores the complexities and differing positions among member states. The summit also solidified the bloc’s recent expansion and its stated aim to serve as a counterbalance to Western-led international forums and policies, particularly in economic and security matters.
