Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Norberto Moretti, on Ukraine - June 23rd 2023

Madam President,

I thank USG DiCarlo for the update on the impacts of the conflict on the Ukrainian population. We deeply regret the thousands of deaths officially recorded by the Office of the High Representative for Human Rights since February 2022 and deplore the continuing destruction of the country’s civilian infrastructure. Brazil extends its solidarity to the families of the victims and reaffirms its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We share the disappointment of others with the absence of dialogue between the parties and the insistence on the pursuit of a military solution. We are concerned about the intensification of fighting along the frontlines and the placement of nuclear weapons in a non-nuclear-weapon state.

We reiterate our concern about the risks to the integrity of the nuclear facilities in Zaporizhzhia, especially after the rupture of the Kakhovka dam. Avoiding damage to the nuclear power plant is imperative. Brazil urges the parties to collaborate to ensure the supply of water for cooling the reactors and spent fuel.

We also echo the call by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Ms Denise Brown, for Russian authorities to facilitate access to areas under their control. The rupture of the Kakhovka dam endangered thousands of people on both sides of the Dnipro River, who depend on humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations.

Madam President,

In recent weeks, the voices of members of the international community in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities have multiplied. Brazil followed with great interest the visit of African leaders to Kiev and Moscow. We endorse the words of President Macky Sall, of Senegal: even in the midst of fighting, it is necessary to keep open the channels of dialogue. Otherwise, it will not be possible to escape the trap of espousing a purely military logic.

Brazil supports the proposals of de-escalation of hostilities, exchange of prisoners of war and peace negotiations based on principles of the UN Charter that take into account the legitimate security concerns of all parties. It is also essential to bear in mind the adverse impacts this conflict has on third countries, due to the increased prices of food and agricultural inputs.

As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out a few days ago, this conflict is affecting Africa negatively. The same applies to other regions, including my own, Latin America and the Caribbean. Due consideration to calls for normalization of the grain and fertilizer trade.

Sustainable peace, Madam President, cannot result from the imposition of unilateral terms, under the coercion of arms, on either side. We urge the parties to avoid entrenching themselves in their positions. The policy of isolation and the imposition of unilateral sanctions have already demonstrated their limits. We encourage the parties to explore alternative paths, starting with a cessation of hostilities and the resumption of direct negotiations.

I thank you, Madam President.