BRICS countries say conflict in Ukraine should be settled exclusively by political means

MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) share the position that the conflict in Ukraine should be solved exclusively by political means, with respect for territorial integrity of the country, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Vadim Lukov told a press conference in Moscow on Monday.

Lukov stressed that a separate statement on the situation in Ukraine was included in the declaration adopted in Brazil’s Fortaleza. "Our common position is that the conflict should be settled exclusively by political means in the framework of international law, with respect for human rights and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the ambassador added.

"I think that these principles will be included in the BRICS’ position at the upcoming summit in Ufa," Lukov said.

Russia is firmly opposed to the politicization of the G20 group, whose forums should discuss economic issues, Lukov went on to say.

"We’re strongly opposed to the politicization of G20," the diplomat said. We believe that the discussion of pressing political issues at its financial and economic forums will distract the G20 group from taking decisions on the issues intrinsic to it. These are the questions of the monetary policy, financial relations, economic development and labor-management relations.".