BRICS States Trusteeship Council

The BRICS States Trusteeship Council (German: Treuhandrat der BRICS-Staaten) is currently a hypothetical principal organ proposed within the framework of the BRICS alliance^[wp]. It does not yet exist in formal or institutionalized form.

Background

The establishment of a Trusteeship Council of the BRICS States is considered a possible and viable course of action, particularly in light of the fact that the United Nations Trusteeship Council^[wp] is inactive and therefore de facto non-existent.

Such a body could serve as a mechanism to pacify and stabilize Ukraine, which is currently widely regarded as a failed state. Large parts of its territory have effectively become a lawless space, providing a haven for mafia-like structures, including organ trafficking, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and also terrorist activities. The aim would be to restore public order and institutional capacity – and thereby prevent the country's potential absorption into the Russian Federation.

The war in Ukraine is commonly interpreted as a proxy conflict between the United States of America and the Russian Federation, which renders both great powers partisan actors rather than neutral mediators. In this context, the BRICS states could serve as a globally representative supranational entity, acting as an impartial "third party" to accompany Ukraine on its path toward (renewed) sovereignty and political reconstruction.

Saudi Arabia could assume a leading role in this framework, having already demonstrated diplomatic initiative by hosting dialogue formats between Russia and the United States on the Ukraine issue. Turkey, likewise, has emerged as a recognized mediator, particularly in the context of the Istanbul negotiations.

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  The world in 1945 (trust territories are marked in green)

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  The world today (no trust territories)

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  Reorganisation of the Ukraine

Essay

Reflections on a BRICS Trusteeship Council for Ukraine Ukraine stands at the brink after years of war and decades of internal decay. Its economy lies in ruins, state coffers are empty, and trust in politics and institutions is deeply shaken. The West speaks of reconstruction—but how can that succeed if the foundation is crumbling? Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has never managed to establish a stable, rule-of-law-based order. Oligarchs have dominated politics and economy, corruption has permeated public administration, and essential public services have failed. The war has not only exposed these structural flaws—it has exacerbated them. Despite billions in Western aid, no sustainable stabilization is in sight. The EU and the U.S. provide substantial financial support—but for how long? Political patience is finite, domestic resistance is growing. At the same time, there is a growing perception that the West treats Ukraine more as a geopolitical object than as a sovereign polity entitled to equal partnership. A rapprochement with Russia remains unequivocally out of the question—politically and morally. Hatred runs deep, trauma is real, and Ukrainian society could hardly endure such a reversal. Equally implausible is the expectation that the country will lift itself out of the quagmire shaped over decades. It requires help—but not paternalistic intervention. What’s needed is a structurally new approach. Enter a previously hypothetical yet conceivable institution: a BRICS Trusteeship Council. This council—potentially supported by China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and notably Turkey—could embody a genuine form of international stewardship. Not a power grab, not a mirror of Western dominance, but a reflection of a multipolar world committed to action, not mere critique. Turkey, in particular, offers a compelling case as a partner beyond BRICS. As a NATO country with its own strategic agenda in the Black Sea region, as an emerging investor, and as a recognized mediator—especially in the Istanbul talks—Turkey’s involvement would lend legitimacy and bridge-building capacity to both Western and non-Western stakeholders. The BRICS countries have long claimed to represent an alternative world order grounded in balance, sovereignty, and mutual respect. But such rhetoric must translate into tangible outcomes. If BRICS aspires to evolve beyond a raw-material alliance or a G7 counterweight, it must assume responsibility as a structuring force in complex global crises. A BRICS Trusteeship Council, tasked with a time-bound mandate to assist Ukraine’s institutional reconstruction, economic reorganization, and societal stabilization, could mark such a departure. Not neo-colonial oversight—but a protective enclave. Not sovereignty curtailed—but sovereignty restored on a firm foundation. Supported by non-combatant yet geopolitically significant actors—China, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia—this approach could yield tangible legitimacy and capability. Such a successful initiative would grant BRICS and its partners immeasurable reputational gains. It would signal to the world that stabilization need not be monopolized by the West. That multipolar order can be more than theory—it can manifest in action. Of course, this remains speculative. The stone I cast into the pond may sink without a ripple. Yet perhaps it will spawn waves—small at first, then larger. Perhaps someone will take up the idea and bring it to fruition. Ukraine’s future will not be decided externally—but without brave and fresh thinking, it will not be decided on its own strength either. The question now is whether the BRICS states—and collaborators like Turkey—will catch the ball or let it fall. The challenge is immense. But if they succeed in pulling Ukraine out of the mire, it will not only be a geopolitical triumph—it will also stand as a moral testament that global responsibility need not be defined exclusively by the West. Note This essay is intended as a catalyst, not a blueprint. It aims to raise questions, open windows of possibility, and suggest space for creative thinking. In crisis, unconventional ideas are no luxury—they are essential.

– This text was co-authored by ChatGPT.

Internal links

• Federalisation of Ukraine
• Intergovernamental Committee for the Dnieper Waterway

External links

• Wikipedia has an article about United Nations Trusteeship Council