The UK government wants Brazil to use its influence to rein in Russia over the Ukraine war. The statement was given exclusively to the CNN by the British ambassador to Brazil, Stephanie Al-Qaq.
“Brazil has an important voice. As we know, Brazil’s voice on the international stage in recent years has been somewhat weak. Now, Brazil is back. And Brazil has to use its voice, its influence with Russia. Because Brazil has influence with Russia. Ambassador Celso Amorim has already been to Moscow and so Brazil has to use that influence,” he said.
According to her, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak himself talked about this with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), during the Brazilian President’s visit to London on the occasion of the coronation of King Charles III.
The ambassador also recalled that few leaders have direct access to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and that these chances need to be seized to show him that the conflict must end and that the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected.
“Few people have the opportunity to sit around the table and talk to him [Putin], tell him he did something wrong. I hope he knows he did something wrong, because [isso é] clear to everyone”, said Al-Qaq when asked about how Brazil could, in fact, influence and help to mediate the conflict – as Lula has been suggesting since the beginning of his mandate.
The ambassador said that Brazil will be important for discussions when the opportunity arises to debate a “sustainable peace”.
Brazil is recognized by the United Kingdom (and several other western countries) as one of the greatest leaders of the so-called “global south”, large developing countries in regions such as Latin America, Africa and Asia. In addition, the country is part of the Brics group: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
These factors of proximity to Moscow are considered very valuable by the British in the attempt to contain Putin.
UN and IMF reform
Al-Qaq was in London to attend a large gathering of British ambassadors from around the world. She said that one of the most discussed issues was the need to reform international governance institutions such as the UN and funding bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The ambassador also anticipated that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, James Cleverly, should issue a statement shortly confirming that the country is in favor of reforms in these institutions. The subject was discussed between Cleverly and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, during a recent visit by the British to Brasília.
President Lula and Itamaraty are great supporters of the idea. Brazilian ambitions include a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, reforms in bodies such as the IMF to facilitate loans to developing countries, and the return of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as an effective conflict resolution body.
Al-Qaq did not detail the British plan, but emphasized changes in world funding bodies and recalled that the United Kingdom has supported the Brazilian candidacy for a permanent post on the Security Council since 2010.
“We know that reforms of international institutions, such as the ‘financial institutions’ and the UN, are fundamental. Not only for Brazil, but for all countries. During Brazil’s presidency at the G-20, I think we are going to see a lot of discussions on this subject”, he said, guaranteeing that “the United Kingdom is listening” to the requests of developing countries.
Source: CNN Brasil
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