Statement by the Political Coordinator, Minister Gustavo Sénéchal, on Ukraine - May 15th, 2023

I thank USG Martin Griffiths for his detailed briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and on the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. We regret that the pursuit of a military solution to the conflict continues to exact an intolerable toll in human lives, like in the the air strikes earlier this month on Kiev and other Ukrainian cities and increased fighting in Bakhmut just last week. We express our solidarity with the victims.

We reiterate our call on all parties to respect and ensure respect to international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of distinction between combatants and civilians, of proportionality, precaution, necessity and humanity. Parties must refrain from attacking critical civilian infrastructure.

We also emphasize the need for unhindered humanitarian access to those in need wherever they may be and to ensure safe conditions for humanitarian personnel, including medical units and equipment. There must be no politicization of humanitarian messages, nor selective application of international humanitarian law.

Since the start of the conflict, Brazil has defended, alongside other member states, the immediate cessation of hostilities, without prejudging the results of future peace negotiations, in order to avoid further violence. That remains our position.

Efforts of other member states in this direction are encouraging. We take note of new appeals in favour of dialogue between the parties, which, in our view, is the only path towards sustainable peace.

We see the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative as a key step towards building trust between the parties. Brazil encourages the extension of the agreements for as long as necessary, in order to limit uncertainties about the global supply of grains and fertilizers. Developing countries dramatically suffered the side effects of the conflict, due to their structural vulnerabilities to fluctuations in the prices of food and agricultural inputs.

The success of the initiative is a collective responsibility. We encourage Russia and Ukraine to reach an understanding and urge other member states to avoid actions that go against the spirit of the Istanbul agreements, including with regard to Russian exports of grains and fertilizers.

Madam President,

We are concerned with the deterioration of the political environment in the Council. We around this table have different perspectives on the conflict’s origins and on the way forward, but our understanding of basic international humanitarian law norms and principles must be shared nevertheless. Brazil cannot avoid expressing frustration at the Council’s inability to find common ground and aproving a resolution calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law.

We also find it regrettable that the conflict in Ukraine contaminates other issues on the international agenda, including in other multilateral fora, by blocking dialogue and making it difficult to find answers to other urgent challenges, for which we are all responsible.

Equally regrettable are attempts, mentioned at a meeting earlier this month by the representative of Gabon, to force others to choose sides. Defending the UN Charter and the international law is a duty of all members, and we support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, this principled position should not hamper the work of the council as a whole towards a peaceful solution.

That will require the parties and other member states to be willing to understand the demands and concerns of all sides. The sooner we engage in this collective effort, the better.

Thank you.