Discurso do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Ronaldo Costa Filho, no Debate do Conselho de Segurança sobre a Ucrânia - 31 de janeiro de 2022 (texto em inglês)

Statement by the Permanent Representative Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho in the Security Council Debate on Ukraine

31 January 2022

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Madam President,

Geopolitical tensions and threats to international peace and security require the Security Council to engage promptly and timely.

Open references to military actions, unilateral economic sanctions and other measures are developments that should be avoided, under the UN Charter.

The Security Council must fulfill its primary objective, which is to prevent war.

There is a general and urgent need to resort to meaningful dialogue with and between the parties directly involved in the escalation of tensions.

We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to engage constructively in talks aimed at resolving their differences. There is room to restore confidence and find a lasting diplomatic solution to this crisis. For that we need political will and genuine commitment from all sides.

Brazil encourages all parties to strictly observe international law. It is imperative to apply the principles enshrined in the Charter consistently, in a non-selective manner. The prohibition of use of force, the peaceful resolution of disputes and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of human rights are pillars of our collective security system.

Brazil also highlights the need for good-faith in order to address legitimate security concerns of all parties, including Russia’s and Ukraine’s.

We encourage parties to pursue genuine talks on the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Security Council resolution 2202, which provided useful guidelines to address the situation in Eastern Ukraine, is also a valuable tool in the diplomatic efforts to overcome the situation. Brazil welcomes the resumption of talks in the Normandy format and the renewed commitment to the ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine.

Madam President,

Despite the sensitive and difficult nature of the issue on our agenda today, I would like to conclude with a note of hope. It has been encouraging  to hear, over the past few days, statements to the effect that there is no military solution to the situation. At this moment in particular, this should be the motto of the whole United Nations’ membership and of the Security Council for a renewed commitment to diplomacy and prevention.

I thank you.