The escalation of tensions in Ukraine — which culminated in Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade the country — has forced the Itamaraty to promote a rhetorical juggling act to show, at the same time, opposition to a violation of international law by Moscow without pointing out the finger directly to Russia.
The Russians are considered strategic partners and are Brazil’s partners in the BRICS (a group also formed by India, China and South Africa).
The attempt of Brazilian diplomacy to balance between the position of the United States and NATO allies (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and, on the other hand, that of Vladimir Putin’s Russia has been evident in the speeches of the Brazilian ambassador to the UN, Ronaldo Costa Filho, on the Security Council.
The last demonstration of the Brazilian took place on the night of this Wednesday (23). On the occasion, Costa Filho said that “the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of a UN member is unacceptable”.
It is one of the harshest language adopted so far against the Russian military mobilization on the border – and now on the territory – of Ukraine.
Despite this, Costa Filho did not directly mention the Russian government and avoided the rhetoric of Americans and European allies that directly blame Putin for the biggest military threat on the European continent since World War II.
Diplomats consulted by sheet assessed, on condition of anonymity, that Costa Filho’s speech went as far as Brazil could go to criticize the threat of Russian aggression without making an emphatic condemnation of Moscow — something they say is not in the country’s interest.
They also highlighted that the announcement of the invasion of Russia took place while the Security Council session was being held, so that Costa Filho’s speech was probably prepared before the attacks began.
The closest parallel to the Brazilian attitude at the UN is also related to Russia. In 2014, the country refrained from condemning the Russian decision to annex Crimea, which was part of Ukrainian territory.
This Thursday (24), the Itamaraty released a note in which it says it follows “with grave concern the outbreak of military operations” by Russia against “targets in the territory of Ukraine”.
Costa Filho also made in his demonstration an appeal for the withdrawal of troops as “an effective measure for the prevention and reduction of threats to peace”.
“Recourse to arms and confrontation do not lead to lasting peace. In this regard, we urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action that could heighten tensions on the ground. This is no time for belligerent rhetoric or military threats, but of true engagement in the diplomatic process. The path of negotiations has not been exhausted”, he declared.
Costa Filho’s statement, however, brings changes in relation to previous demonstrations in Brazil. In a previous Security Council meeting on the subject, on January 31, the diplomat had opposed unilateral economic sanctions.
On Wednesday night, Brazil made no reference to economic sanctions. A mention along the lines of the one made at the end of January, diplomats say, could be interpreted as a criticism of the action by the United States and allies to impose punishments against Russia for the invasion.
In his first and only manifestation to date about the invasion, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) avoided commenting on the conflict itself, and said only that he was “totally committed” to protecting Brazilians in the region.
“I am fully committed to the effort to protect and assist Brazilians in Ukraine,” he said on Twitter. Our Embassy in Kiev remains open and ready to assist the approximately 500 Brazilian citizens who live in Ukraine and everyone else who is there temporarily.”
Then, he reproduced a note from the Brazilian Embassy in Kiev, with only guidelines for Brazilians in the region. The text shared by Bolsonaro is not about the conflict itself.
Government officials have urged him to remain neutral and refrain from commenting on the war. The Chief Executive met last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Chief of Staff, Ciro Nogueira, adopted a similar tone to the Chief Executive. “Our focus is to protect Brazilians and get them out of there as quickly as possible,” he told Folha.
The presidents of the Houses of Congress called for peaceful solutions to the conflict and avoided condemning Russian military action. Arthur Lira (PP-AL), at the head of the Chamber, stressed that the world is already grieving millions of losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Right now, we need peace, understanding and for both nations to pursue diplomatic paths,” he said on Twitter.
Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG), president of the Senate, called for dialogue to reach a solution that “addresses the interests of the parties involved”.
“According to Brazilian foreign policy, which has historically been guided by the search for peace and the negotiated solution of international conflicts, as president of the National Congress and, on behalf of my peers, we reaffirm the need for a broad, peaceful and democratic dialogue with aimed at a quick negotiated solution that contemplates the legitimate interests of the parties involved”, he said in a note.
Marianna Holanda, Julia Chaib, Renato Machado and Danielle Brandt collaborated
