The Ukrainian government hopes that October’s elections in Brazil will allow for a “positive shift” in the country’s Kyiv-Moscow war and its stance on the international stage. At a news conference in Geneva on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN, Yevhenia Filipenko, also criticized governments that are part of the BRICS, which have maintained and even expanded trade with Russia since the beginning of the conflict.
This Wednesday, Ukraine marked the 31st anniversary of the country’s independence, a date that coincides with six months of the Russian-led invasion of Ukrainian territory. According to the diplomat, “thousands of people lost their homes and millions were forced to leave the country” during this period. “We keep fighting and more confident of victory than ever before,” he said.
According to him, Russia currently occupies 21% of the territory of Ukraine and gives powers in the administration of cities and regions, as well as in recruiting troops. The Ambassador also announced that Kiev will report the abduction of hundreds of children from these occupied areas and their adoption in Russia to the UN. Russia is a terrorist state and we have to expect everything from them,” he warned. “Of every 20 missiles launched by Moscow, 19 hit civilian infrastructure,” he said.
But the ambassador has made it clear that he expects countries around the world to take a critical stance against Moscow, and that hasn’t always been the case in Jair Bolsonaro’s government.
Citing the “good working relationship” he had with Itamaraty, he suggested there was room for change and a clearer stance for Brazil. When asked what the message would be to a possible new government in the country, he replied:
“My message is that we continue to work together to defend international order, multilateralism and the UN Charter. I hope the election in Brazil shows that the Brazilian people also support the Ukrainian people in our struggle for freedom. Bring positive change and a positive role for this country on the international stage.” said.
BRICS: Doing business with Russia finances war
The diplomat also criticized governments that maintain trade relations with Russia. Despite sanctions from the USA and Europe, Moscow continues to export to its partners in the emerging economies bloc BRICS. In the case of Brazil, data show that the country has doubled its imports of Russian goods since the start of the war.
“The whole world reacted loudly to Russia’s aggression in the resolutions taken at the UN. Countries including the BRICS showed that they support law and order. I hope you understand this neutrality of neutrality and doing business with a permanent country. aggression will finance the war machine and only from this country. not only will it encourage new attacks from all over the world,” he said.
“We want to work with every country in the world to convince them that doing business with Russia is not the right thing to do. To isolate Russia, which will allow the war to end sooner. This is illegal aggression,” he argued.
“My message to countries is that in this case there is no gray zone. Black or white. It’s your choice to be on the right side of history. Or support those who perpetuate brutal aggression. Doing business with Russia today is toxic. Stop trading with aggressors,” he asked.
In Itamaraty, the orientation against the sanctions against Russia is critical. For the Brazilian government, such measures would also lead to a global food and inflation crisis.
If in the early days of the war Brazil voted in favor of resolutions blaming Russia, the government changed its stance and chose to abstain on several votes in international organizations.
source: Noticias
