Brasilia (EFE).- The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said Monday in Brasilia that Russia wants a “lasting” solution to the conflict in Ukraine, but assured that neither the Government of that country nor the West “contribute” to that aim.
“We need to resolve the conflict in a lasting way, not immediately,” but the “NATO and the West” countries have not fulfilled “commitments they made” at the beginning of this century, said Lavrov together with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira , apparently alluding to the Minsk agreements (2014).
Lavrov thanked Vieira for Brazil’s rejection of the trade sanctions applied to Russia by several countries after the invasion of Ukraine, and assured that they are the product of an “illegal decision”, since they are not approved by the United Nations Security Council.
Regarding these sanctions, Vieira highlighted the tradition of Brazilian diplomacy of supporting them only when they have the backing of the UN Security Council, adding that, in this case and in the current global situation, “they have had an impact on the entire global economy, which has not yet recovered from the pandemic” of covid-19.
Brazil, in favor of a ceasefire in Ukraine
Vieira also reiterated Brazil’s position regarding the need for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the formation of a group of friendly countries to attempt mediation, but this possibility, although Lavrov was grateful, was not addressed in depth by the Russian minister.
Brazil is Lavrov’s first stop on a tour that, over the next few days, will also take him to Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, after countries that maintain intense economic and political relations with Russia.
After the meeting with Vieira, Lavrov is scheduled to speak to Lula at his official residence, for a reserved meeting.
At the gates of the Foreign Ministry headquarters, shortly after Lavrov’s arrival, three women protested against the war and against the presence of the Russian minister in Brazil.
“No to the agreements with imperialist Russia”, “Russia out of Ukraine” and “Lavrov out of Brazil”, read the banners they carried.