Lula criticizes sanctions against Russia in speech at Celac-UE Summit

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) once again criticized the sanctions that Western countries have adopted against Russia as a way of putting pressure on the country to put an end to the conflict against Ukraine. The statements by the Brazilian representative were made during his speech at the opening of the III CELAC-European Union Summit, in the city of Brussels, Belgium, this Monday (17th) – Celac is the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

The petista says he is a defender of “negotiated peace” and does not agree with the treatment that other countries have given to the war that has lasted more than a year. “Resorting to sanctions and blockades without the protection of international law only serves to penalize the most vulnerable populations. We need peace to overcome the great challenges that we have before us and that implies profound systemic changes. Dividing the world into antagonistic blocs would be foolish.” “, said the Brazilian representative.

This is not the first time that the Brazilian representative has adopted such a position. Even before the start of the event, the conflict between the two countries was already a point of disagreement between the participants of the summit. While ambassadors from the 60 countries negotiated the joint declaration to be signed during the Summit, Brazil and other Latin American countries opposed the point in the text that declared full support for Ukraine.

Lula also criticized the UN Security Council (a group formed by the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and China), in which he has tried to include Brazil since he took office for his first term as president of Brazil, in 2003.

“The war in Ukraine is further confirmation that the United Nations Security Council does not address the current challenges to peace and security. Its own members do not respect the UN Charter. In line with the United Nations Charter, we strongly repudiate the use of force as a means of resolving disputes. Brazil supports the initiatives promoted by different countries and regions in favor of the immediate cessation of hostilities and a negotiated peace”, said the Brazilian.