Brazil hails Russian Lavrov amid US criticism DW 18/04/2023

[ad_1]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Brazil on Monday and expressed his gratitude to the South American country for its controversial mediation efforts in the Ukraine conflict.

“Regarding the process in Ukraine, we are grateful to our Brazilian friends for their excellent understanding of the genesis of this situation. We are grateful to them for their efforts to help find ways to resolve it,” said Mr. Lavrov, seated alongside his Brazilian counterpart. counterpart, Mauro Vieira.

Regarding the Kremlin-backed invasion of Ukraine, Vieira told reporters that Brazil sees sanctions against Russia as having negative effects on the global economy. He added that Brazil supports an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

Lavrov also met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who raised eyebrows in the West with his recent comments about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Lula da Silva: “It’s time for China to get involved” in the peace negotiations in Ukraine

This browser does not support the video element.

Brazil is closing in on Russia and China

Brazil has not joined Western nations in imposing sanctions on Russia for its war and has refused requests to supply Ukraine with ammunition.

President Lula da Silva, during a recent trip to the United Arab Emirates, said Kyiv shares responsibility for the conflict.

“If you liberate Crimea, it changes everything”

This browser does not support the video element.

On Saturday, Lula met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing where he said “the United States must stop encouraging war and start talking about peace. The European Union must start talking about peace.”

Earlier this month he also suggested that Ukraine could give up Crimea to end the war.

US: Brazil’s views are ‘deeply problematic’

Brazil’s position on the war in Ukraine and its allegations against the West have drawn strong criticism from the United States, which has called these views “deeply problematic”.

Following Lavrov’s meeting with Vieira, US national security spokesman John Kirby said, “Brazil is repeating Russian and Chinese propaganda without looking at the facts at all.”

“Brazil’s most recent comments that Ukraine should consider formally ceding Crimea as a peace concession are simply wrong, especially for a country like Brazil that voted to uphold the principles of sovereignty and of Territorial Integrity (at the UN),” he said.

Brazil, however, rejected the US comments.

“I don’t know how or why he came to that conclusion, but I totally disagree,” Brazil’s Viera said, referring to Kirby’s remarks.

Lavrov, meanwhile, told a news conference that the West is engaged in “a rather difficult struggle” to continue its dominance in world affairs.

Biden: ‘The United States will never, ever, ever recognize Russia’s claims’

This browser does not support the video element.

mf/wd (AP, AFP)

[ad_2]