Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine - July 29th, 2022

I will now make a statement in my national capacity.

I thank the Missions of Albania and the United States for proposing this meeting, and I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing.

Distinguished colleagues,

This month, we all became aware of military actions in Odessa, Chasiv Yar, Vinnytsia, Chuhuiv, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities, which claimed the lives of dozens of victims.

Attacks against civilians are unjustifiable under international humanitarian law. We reiterate the call for the parties to act with restraint and prevent further civilian casualties as a side effect of the hostilities.

Since the beginning of the conflict five months ago, we have insisted on the need for engagement in constructive and pragmatic dialogue that will limit the immense losses imposed on Ukraine and begin the process of reestablishment of peace.

The conflict has aggravated disturbing trends around the world. Rising food and fuel prices, as well as the threat of a supply crisis, are hitting developing countries the hardest.

The agreement announced last Friday brought with it the hope that political solutions can be achieved. Negotiations between the parties resulted in a concrete response to an urgent problem. The two agreements in Istanbul pave the way for the resumption of exports of grains and fertilizers and the reintegration of the two countries to international markets.

We thank the Secretary General and the government of Türkiye for their decisive role in brokering the agreements.

Brazil shares the disappointment expressed by other members for the incapacity of the Security Council to reach consensus for the approval of a presidential or a press statement.

We should, however, welcome the parties’ active engagement in the negotiations. We urge both sides to avoid actions that could jeopardize the implementation of the agreements. The insistence on the search for a decisive result on the battlefield will only result in greater destruction.

Distinguished colleagues,

Although the last few months seem to have downplayed the role of diplomacy in dealing with the crisis, it is precisely in face of the greatest challenges that we must remain committed to the spirit of the United Nations and devote all our efforts to achieving lasting peace.

Let us not be carried away by the impulse to close the doors to dialogue. The Istanbul accords point to a viable path. The immediate resumption of direct negotiations between the parties for the end of hostilities must be the priority of this Council, in order to stop the escalation of violence and avoid the loss of thousands of human lives.