By Simon Lewis
In a groundbreaking move, China and Brazil spearheaded an initiative at the United Nations to bring together developing countries in a bid to halt Russia's devastating war in Ukraine. Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's skepticism, the two nations rallied 17 countries in a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
During the meeting, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazilian foreign policy adviser Celso Amorim emphasized the importance of de-escalation, prevention of the use of weapons of mass destruction, and safeguarding nuclear power plants. Wang stressed the need for amicable relations between Russia and Ukraine, advocating for international support for a peace conference involving both nations.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns over China's support for Russia's defense industry, accusing Chinese companies of enabling Putin's aggression in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov engaged in discussions with his Brazilian counterpart, Maura Vieira, on the conflict.
Among the 17 nations present, 10 countries from the Global South, including Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey, signed a communique endorsing a peace plan proposed by Brazil and China earlier this year. This initiative will continue under a group called "friends for peace."
Notably, China and Russia solidified their partnership with a "no limits" deal just weeks before the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. While Beijing denies supplying weapons to Russia, Western nations allege that Chinese companies provide materials for Russian weapon production.
In response to Zelenskiy's criticism of the peace initiative, Amorim refrained from engaging in a war of words, stating that his goal is to propose a pathway to peace.
Analysis: The collaboration between China and Brazil, along with other developing nations, to end the conflict in Ukraine signifies a shift in global dynamics. The meeting at the UN highlights the growing influence of emerging economies in shaping international peace efforts. However, concerns over China's support for Russia's military capabilities raise questions about the effectiveness of such initiatives. As the situation unfolds, the impact of these diplomatic maneuvers on the war in Ukraine and global stability remains to be seen.
