UN member countries approved this Friday (16) a resolution to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to participate virtually in the 77th session of the General Assembly, scheduled for Tuesday (19), in New York. Brazil abstained.
The decision was defended by 101 out of 193 nations. Russia and six other nations allied to Vladimir Putin’s government (Belarus, Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Nicaragua and Eritrea) were against it.
In addition to Brazil, 18 other countries abstained from voting. Among them, South Africa and China —which also make up the Brics bloc—, as well as Angola, Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand.
The Ukrainian mission argued that Zelensky could not attend face-to-face meetings due to the unfolding war in Eastern Europe. So far, in fact, the politician has only spoken through videos in forums and parliaments around the world.
Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitri Polianski said Moscow has always favored face-to-face diplomacy, according to a Reuters report, and accused Western nations of adopting double standards. “Africa’s leaders, who often have similar difficulties getting to New York, have been denied such rights.”
Belarus’ dictatorship, led by Aleksandr Lukachenko, introduced an amendment to allow all leaders with security concerns to go to New York, not just Zelensky, to send recorded messages. But the appeal was rejected by 67 votes – 23 were in favor and 27 abstentions.
Brazil supported the Belarusian attempt. Interlocutors from the Brazilian mission told the Sheet that the country is in favor of the proposal that any nation in a situation of war can participate remotely, without favoring just one leader.
Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, who represented Brazil at the session, told those present that he regretted that the text of the original proposal, about making the exception only for Zelensky, “politicized an issue that should be procedural.” “Otherwise, many more member states would have agreed on this issue,” he stressed.
President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) goes to the General Assembly after traveling to London, United Kingdom, for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday (19). With no major bilateral meetings on the agenda, he will deliver the opening speech of the meeting, as historical tradition dictates.
In July, Zelenski criticized the position of neutrality that the Bolsonaro government says it maintains in the conflict. “I don’t believe that anyone can remain neutral when there is a war in the world,” Zelenski told TV Globo.
The Ukrainian leader, who spoke by phone with the Brazilian, asked for Brazil’s support in the sanctions imposed on Moscow by European Union (EU) nations and the US. Brasília has avoided criticism against Russia, an important trading partner, but, at the UN, it even supported a resolution condemning the invasion of Ukrainian territory.
Bolsonaro, shortly before the war began, traveled to Moscow and had a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, on an agenda criticized by partners such as Washington. At the time, he said that Brazil was “in solidarity with Russia”.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
