Brazil's Da Silva uses BRICS Summit to call for Ukraine ceasefire
Brazilian President Lula da Silva used his speech on the second day of the BRICS Summit to call on the bloc’s other leaders to help secure an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
Da Silva said the war in Ukraine has a global effect, adding the most vulnerable populations in the developing world are the ones that are suffering.
He believes it's possible that other BRICS countries are also in direct contact with Moscow and Kyiv to help find peace.
Da Silva said the quest for peace is a collective obligation, while recognising the contribution given by China, South Africa and Brazil on the resolution of the conflict.
The Brazilian leader has also criticised the UN Security Council over its handling of other, less high-profile, conflicts around the world, saying they are not getting the same attention.
"The Ukranian war shows the limitations of the UN Security Council. Many other conflicts and crises do not have the same attention, and the BRICS is the forum to discuss the main issues that affect peace and world security.
“We cannot bypass the treaty. The main conflict of today that is happening in Ukraine has a global effect," said Da Silva.
`'We believe that it is possible that a growing number of countries amongst the BRICS countries also are engaged in direct contact with Moscow and Kiev. We do not underestimate the efforts to reach peace. We believe everyone suffers from the consequences of the war. The most vulnerable populations in the developing populations are the ones that suffer.
"The quest for peace is a collective obligation and an imperative for a fair and sustainable development. The BRICS should act as a force for understanding and cooperation. Our willingness is expressed in the contribution given by China, South Africa and my own country on the resolution of the conflict, " he said.
In response to remarks by Da Silva, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed attempts by “some countries” to preserve their global hegemony that led to the crisis in Ukraine.
"It started when an anti-constitutional government coup took place in this country with the help of the Western countries,” Putin said via a video link.
“This was followed by the unleashing of a war against people who refused to accept this coup. It was a cruel war, a war of extermination, which lasted for eight years.
“Russia decided to side with people who are fighting for their culture, their traditions, language and future. Stopping the war unleashed by the West and its satellites in Ukraine against the people of Donbas is the only thing that defines our actions in Ukraine,” explained Putin.
