The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Serguey Lavrov, was welcomed by the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers' Party) and by the Brazilian Chancellor, Mauro Vieira, this Monday (17). After fulfilling his agenda in Brasilia, Lavrov will also go to Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The meeting with President Lula took place behind closed doors and there was no statement to the press after the meeting. Lavrov brought a letter of invitation from President Vladimir Putin for Lula to participate in an economic forum in St. Petersburg later this year.
In a statement to the press at the Itamaraty Palace (headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil) after the meeting with the Brazilian chancellor, Lavrov pointed out that Russia is interested in ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible.
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"It is clear that we are interested in ending the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible. We explained in detail the reasons for what is happening, the goals we are pursuing in this regard," said Lavrov.
The Russian minister also added that he spoke with the Brazilian chancellor "about the context that must be observed in order to solve such problems not momentarily, but based on long-term agreements, which must be based mainly on the principle of multilateralism and taking into account security interests among all States with no exception."
Minister Mauro Vieira, in turn, reiterated the Brazilian position in favor of a ceasefire in Ukraine and made an appeal for a peaceful solution to the war. Vieira also stated that he reaffirmed the Brazilian willingness to facilitate the formation of a group of countries to negotiate the ceasefire, highlighting the fact that Brazil is against the practice of adopting unilateral sanctions on the international stage.
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"I reiterated our position in favor of an immediate ceasefire, respect for humanitarian law, and a negotiated solution for lasting peace", added Mauro Vieira.
"We are grateful to the Brazilian side, understanding the part in this situation, thanking for the contribution to the solution of this conflict and problem, and we are taking it into consideration. We need to solve it in a lasting way and not immediately", replied the Russian chancellor.
During the press statement, Lavrov also reaffirmed support for reform of the United Nations Security Council. The demand is a historical claim of the countries of the global South.
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"Today we reaffirm our support for Brazil's candidacy for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, just as we support India, and in that sense we also support the need to serve the interests of the African continent."
Trip takes place after Lula's emphatic statements about the war
The Russian foreign minister started on Monday an American tour that will also have stops in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. Lavrov's agenda comes after President Lula's more emphatic statements about the war in Ukraine. During his visit to China, Lula made an appeal for the United States to "stop encouraging war and start talking about peace".
"It is necessary to be patient with the president of Russia, it is necessary to be patient with the president of Ukraine. But above all, it is necessary to convince the countries that are supplying weapons and encouraging war to stop," said the Brazilian president.
Lula also highlighted the role that China can play in the negotiations for the end of the war. According to Lula, Beijing must be the most important link in the conflict. "I think China has a very important role. I keep reiterating that China is perhaps the most important," he said.
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Lula's statements caused discomfort in the US government, which considers that the Brazilian position adopts a tone closer to Moscow and Beijing and in opposition to Washington.
In an interview with G1, the former chancellor and special advisor to the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil for international affairs, Celso Amorim, informed that Lavrov's visit was scheduled "months ago" by the Itamaraty, with no connection with Lula's recent speeches.
“Brazil is still trying to build a path to peace, talking to both sides,” he said. "We want a solution to the war that is fair and acceptable," he added.
