Brazil Refrains from Signing Democracy Summit Declaration Criticizing Russia’s Actions in Ukraine

The Brazilian government has chosen not to sign the final declaration of the second Democracy Summit, an event promoted by the Joe Biden administration and co-organized with Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Zambia. The declaration condemns the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has persisted for over 13 months, and expresses concern about the humanitarian and human rights consequences resulting from the aggression.

The statement also highlights concerns regarding the war’s impact on crucial areas such as food and energy security, nuclear protection, and the environment. It calls for Russia to withdraw its military forces from Ukrainian territory. Out of the participating countries, 76 have signed the document, while 16 others, including Brazil, have opted not to support it.

According to Brazilian diplomats who spoke with the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, they believe that the United Nations, rather than the Democracy Summit, would be the appropriate forum to address the issue. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva did not attend the summit, but he sent a letter to the organizers, referencing the January 8 attack on Brazil’s Three Powers and emphasizing the importance of reinforcing democracy.

The Brazilian government’s decision not to sign the Democracy Summit’s final declaration indicates its stance on the appropriate channels for addressing the conflict in Ukraine and highlights the complexities surrounding international diplomacy.