Russia’s Brics allies — SA, Brazil, India and China — must collectively intervene to end Russian President Vladimir Putin’s one-sided war with Ukraine because the protracted conflict is undermining their individual interests.

Brics countries have the most influence over Putin and he is likely to listen to them, rather than to leaders of Western countries. So far, China has offered to mediate in the conflict. In a phone call with Putin last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a negotiated solution.

Russia’s globally condemned invasion of Ukraine, which has now become a drawn-out conflict rather than the quick victory Putin might have expected, has not only stumped the Brics trade alliance of large emerging markets over how to respond. It has also caused deep divisions within these countries...