Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC debate on the Question of Ukraine - February 25th, 2022

Mister President,

Brazil regrets that the Security Council was unable to react to a breach of international peace and security that is still happening as we speak.

During the negotiations, Brazil favoured a text that could maintain space for dialogue among all parties, while sending a decisive message for respect to international law and to the basic principles that, for more than 75 years, have saved us from a war of wide proportions. We thank the proponents for their flexibility in several aspects of the draft during negotiations.

Mister President,

The framing of the use of force against Ukraine as an act of aggression, a precedent that has seldom been used in this Council, signals to the world the gravity of the situation, but could also downplay other times when force was used against the territorial integrity of member states with no equivalent reaction from the Council. 

Indeed, we could have ended up with a text that is more conducive to reconciliation. Brazil has fought for that. However, under the current circumstances, not even a different text could be enough to allow the Council to fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security today. No country, elected or non-elected, with or without veto power, should be able to use force against the territorial integrity of another state with no Council reaction. The Council’s paralysis when world peace is at stake could lead to its irrelevance when we most need it. It is our collective responsibility not to allow this to happen.

Thank you.