By Lisandra Paraguassu and Manuela Andreoni RIO DE JANEIRO -Leaders of the growing BRICS group of developing nations met in Brazil on Sunday, calling for reform of traditional Western institutions while presenting the bloc as a defender of multilateral diplomacy in an increasingly fractured world.

Bloc takes firm positions at summit on key global conflicts while avoiding criticism of Russia for the Ukraine war.

The BRICS bloc has criticized rising tariffs and attacks on Iran in its latest summit declaration. Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, the group also condemned NATO’s increased military spending and expressed concerns about global trade disruptions caused by tariffs.

By Manuela Andreoni and Lisandra Paraguassu RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Developing nations participating in the BRICS summit on Monday brushed away an accusation from U.S. President Donald Trump that the bloc is "anti-American,