Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on the situation in Ukraine - September 8th, 2023

Mister President,

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for the update on developments in Ukraine. I also welcome the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to this meeting.

Brazil has expressed its concern with the organization of regional elections in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya. Such actions raise tensions and further undermine the prospects for ending the conflict and finding lasting peace.

We remain convinced that the dynamics on the battlefield will not bring a solution to this war, let alone lasting peace and stability. That is why Brazil insists on its call for the de-escalation of hostilities, as a first step, and for the establishment of negotiations, either directly or through the other peaceful means described in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter. Those means have provided fair, effective and lasting solutions in several other international disputes. There is no reason they should not be used in this conflict.

Only a political solution, one that takes into account the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the legitimate security concerns of all parties, will bring lasting peace. Any solution must also ensure full respect for the civil and political rights of local populations, including ethnic and linguistic minorities.

Mister President,

Last, but not least, Iet me remind that substantial and negative effects of this war continue to be felt in many parts of the world, especially developing countries. Economic growth is hampered, development compromised and food security threatened. We are still hopeful that a revised Black Sea Grain Initiative will be possible and that diplomacy will be given a chance once more.

Brazil’s message is clear — all actions that make peace ever more elusive must stop. Negotiations must be pursued, even if politically very difficult, and no one doubts they will be complex and difficult. We should channel our efforts towards approaches that bring us closer to ending the conflict and the suffering and loss it entails.

Thank you.