Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine - August 24th, 2022

Mister President,

I acknowledge the participation of His Excellency President Zelensky, to whom I extend congratulations on occasion of Ukraine’s National Day, and I thank the Secretary-General and USG Rosemary DiCarlo for their remarks.

Six months after the opening of hostilities, there seems to be no solution in sight for the conflict in Ukraine. This situation was compounded by the risk of nuclear disaster. It is essential that the parties refrain from attacks that could threaten the safety of nuclear facilities, as has been happening in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia plant. Brazil reiterates the call for the two sides to facilitate the access of an IAEA mission, so that the conditions of the plant can be properly evaluated.

It is deeply saddening to note how little progress has been made towards a political solution. The most notable result was the initiative on grain exports from Ukrainian ports and on facilitating Russian grain and fertilizer exports, announced in July, for which we are grateful to the efforts of the Secretary-General and the support of the Government of Türkiye. When the parties engaged in negotiations, an important result was achieved, which partly alleviates the effects of the conflict on food prices around the world, and particularly in developing countries.

Mister President,

Reality and history show that closing the door to dialogue is not the right approach to resolving any conflict, and this applies to Ukraine. Actions that prolong the hostilities will only result in greater human suffering and will not resolve the underlying causes.

Brazil welcomes the Secretary General’s efforts to ensure the implementation of the Istanbul agreements, and takes note of his visit to the region last week. It is essential that the international community seek to preserve this important achievement, which indicates a possible path towards broader negotiations. We urge the parties to keep open the channels of dialogue that made possible the Istanbul package, as they offer the best prospects for peace.

Finally, we recall the obligation of both sides under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population and prevent human rights abuses. Attacks against residential areas and facilities such as schools, churches and hospitals are unacceptable and fuel a logic of retaliation that must be avoided by all means.

It is in everyone’s interest that the two countries can peacefully live side by side in the future and cooperate to achieve their development goals.

I thank you, Mister President.