On July 11, 2023, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Melnyk, upon the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on further developing and enhancing relations with the countries of Latin America, held an online meeting with Secretary for Europe and North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Ambassador Maria Luisa Escorel de Moraes.

At the outset of the negotiations, Andrii Melnyk emphasised the importance for Ukraine of developing and deepening political dialogue with Brazil, the most influential player in the Latin America region. In this respect, the Deputy Foreign Minister expressed the interest of the Ukrainian side in deepening contacts at the level of both heads of state and establishing direct dialogue between the heads of parliament and the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Brazil.

Andrii Melnyk expressed his gratitude to Brazil for its firm position regarding the defense of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within international organizations, particularly as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Having noted the efforts of President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva aimed at a peaceful settlement of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Deputy Foreign Minister expressed the hope that Brazil can actively join the implementation of the Peace Formula by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the only tool that can put an end to the Russian imperialistic war.

Special attention was given to the significant contribution that Brazil could make by joining the creation of the Special Tribunal for the Punishment of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

Andrii Melnyk informed his Brazilian counterpart in detail of the threats of nuclear terrorism that Russia deliberately creates by mining the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the possibility of undermining the non-proliferation regime by that country.

The Ukrainian side invited Brazilian companies to take part in the post-war recovery of the regions of Ukraine that were damaged by the Russian occupation.

Maria Luisa Escorel de Moraes expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who heroically fought for their freedom and independence. She assured of Brazil’s support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the norms and principles of international law, as well as the readiness of Brazil to put all the necessary efforts into reaching peace in Ukraine. She also underscored the negative impact of the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, on the food and energy security of all countries in the world, including those from Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the context of developing bilateral relations, both parties discussed priority areas of cooperation in the economic, scientific, technological and humanitarian fields on which the countries’ main efforts are to be focused within the near future.

The parties agreed to continue close regular dialogue.