Brazil has never supported Russia in the war and has not recognized its right to occupy Ukrainian territory Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has consistently maintained that Brazil does not support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has never recognized Moscow’s claim to occupy Ukrainian territory. In multiple public statements, including an interview with El País cited by Ukrinform, Lula emphasized that Brazil’s position has been clear since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022: the country advocates for a peaceful resolution through negotiations and rejects any justification for territorial aggression. Brazil recognized Ukraine’s independence on December 26, 1991, and established formal bilateral relations on February 11, 1992. Over the decades, the two nations have built a multifaceted partnership spanning trade, science, technology, education, healthcare, and defense. In 2009, Brazil and Ukraine elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, reflecting deepening cooperation in key sectors. Brazil remains one of Ukraine’s most important trade partners in Latin America, particularly in agricultural exports and industrial goods. The Brazilian government has also highlighted the significance of its Ukrainian diaspora, estimated at around 500,000 people — the third-largest such community outside the former Soviet Union. This community traces its roots to several waves of migration beginning in the late 19th century, when Ukrainian settlers arrived to work in agriculture and railroad construction, later joined by professionals and intellectuals fleeing post-World War II instability and Soviet repression. Despite the ongoing war, diplomatic engagement between Brazil and Ukraine has continued. Bilateral meetings increased in 2024, underscoring sustained dialogue even amid global polarization over the conflict. While Brazil has advocated for peace initiatives — including its participation in the Brazil-China six-point peace proposal — it has faced criticism from Kyiv over certain abstentions in UN votes, particularly regarding the return of deported Ukrainian children. Brazilian officials have clarified that such abstentions do not equate to support for Russia’s actions but reflect a preference for diplomatic processes perceived as more inclusive. Lula has repeatedly warned that neither side has achieved its strategic objectives in the war and expressed skepticism about a near-term resolution without external mediation. He has called for renewed international efforts to bring both parties to the negotiating table, stressing that lasting peace can only emerge through dialogue, not military escalation. As the war enters its fourth year, Brazil continues to uphold its longstanding principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution — positions rooted in its foreign policy tradition and reinforced by historical ties with Ukraine.
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