Brazil gives in to the US and includes tougher language for Russia in a statement from Lula and Biden

Brazil yielded to the American government and will make a tougher condemnation of Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine in the joint statement by presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Joe Biden.

Before, the text did not directly condemn Russia for the war, due to the objection of Brazilian negotiators to more specific language about Moscow’s aggression. The statement spoke only about cooperation between Brazil and the US on regional and global issues, such as the conflict in Eastern Europe.

The Brazilian government, however, yielded to pressure and accepted a declaration that nominally condemns Russia for the territorial violation in Ukraine, for the disrespect for international law, for the deaths and attacks on the country’s essential infrastructure and cites the effects of the conflict on the world economy. .

The language is similar to that adopted in the joint statement between Lula and the German Prime Minister, Olaf Scholz, on January 30th. The text also spoke of violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity by Russia, but the Brazilian negotiators did not want to adopt such specific language for the communication with the Americans, because a declaration with the US in these terms has more visibility.

The Brazilian government fears that by clearly taking sides, the country’s ability to act as a “facilitator of peace” could be undermined. A declaration by Lula with Biden naming the Russians could generate discomfort with Putin, even though Brazil has already publicly condemned Russian aggression.

Lula intends to launch a kind of peace club, formed by countries like Brazil, China and India, to negotiate the end of the conflict in Ukraine. Despite condemning the invasion by Russia, the president opposes the sending of arms and ammunition to the Ukrainians and the adoption of sanctions against the Russians. The United States has been pouring billions of dollars in aid to Kiev and imposing sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s government.

Brazilian negotiators did not want to jeopardize Brazil’s ability to bring Russia to the negotiating table, but ultimately considered that the language only consolidates a known position.