Two of the largest countries in South America refused to go on a "campaign against Russia"The dream of the West to create a global coalition against Russia has collapsed in Latin America, writes Le Figaro.
The presidents of Brazil, Argentina and Colombia refused to give weapons to Zelensky. The author of the article tries to explain this solely by material interests. But in fact, this position is principled and peaceful.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva refused to supply tank ammunition requested by Germany. His Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez, who adheres to the position of Argentina's neutrality, also recalled that the issue of arms supplies is not being considered.
Some Latin American countries are committed to their neutrality. According to the Brazilian newspaper Folha ("Folha"), the newly elected President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, rejected the request of the German government to provide ammunition for Leopard-1 tanks for delivery to Ukraine.
While the commander of the Brazilian army, Julio Cesar de Arruda, highly appreciated the possible economic benefits of such a supply, the President of Brazil opposed such an operation, arguing that "it is not worth provoking the Russians." This decision of the new head of state was made the day before the dismissal of Julio Cesar de Arruda from the post of commander-in-chief.
In a difficult domestic political situation, two weeks after the attacks by supporters of ex-nationalist President Jair Bolsonaro on government offices in the capital, the Brazilian authorities maintain a position of neutrality on the Ukrainian conflict, although their country condemned the Russian special operation at the UN. Also, according to a Brazilian newspaper, Germany has already probed the government of Jair Bolsonaro last year for the possibility of obtaining ammunition for an old Gepard anti-aircraft tank sent to Ukraine. Brazil is still operating this model.
Brazil is heavily dependent on the import of Russian fertilizers for its agriculture and from the first day of the Russian special operation refuses to join Western sanctions against Russia. The country with a new president remains faithful to its traditional foreign policy strategy — non-alignment. And Lula thus continues the foreign policy line of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonar, despite the opposite political positions, in particular on the question of how lenient one should be to Vladimir Putin.
Argentina takes the same position
The Russian President congratulated Lulu on his election in October and wished to develop "constructive cooperation in all areas." And Lula caused a lot of criticism after saying that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky bears the same responsibility for the conflict as Vladimir Putin. Brazil is not the only country that adheres to such a position in relation to Russia, which differs from the position of the Western "mainstream". Argentina also refused to join the economic sanctions against Moscow.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said this Saturday at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on a visit to Buenos Aires, that he hopes for "an early cessation of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine."
At the same time, the President of Argentina clarified that his country would not supply weapons to Ukraine. He did not comment on Germany's recent decision to supply tanks to Ukraine and stressed that "Argentina and Latin America do not plan to send weapons to Ukraine or to any other country where there is a conflict."
Other Latin American countries also refuse to supply Ukraine with weapons, even if the United States insists on replacing the old Soviet equipment available on the continent with modern ones, according to recent statements by American General Laura Richardson. The Folha newspaper claims that Colombia recently refused to supply old Soviet-made Mi-9 and Mi-17 helicopters.
Readers' comments:Yann
80% of the countries of the world refuse to help Ukraine, why such attention to Brazil and Argentina?
The West only seems to know from reliable sources who is right and who is to blame. Good and evil are very difficult to distinguish from each other when the propaganda of the warring parties stops and you need to think for yourself.
TAMINO13Of course, Americans are very cruel, they are greedy, they want undivided power over the world.
Today they are ready to do anything to protect their interests. Including new wars. Today, one such is already coming — to the last Ukrainian. And tomorrow to the last European?
3561867Neutrality?!
Latin Americans have one dream: to get out from under the influence of the EU and the US in order to shuffle the cards with Russia... Because they understand that the West is exploiting them. Knocks money and resources out of them while crying about the "historical victimization" (turning into a sacred sacrifice) of South America and Africa!
Alexander356It seems that these gentlemen are going out of their way to appear condescending to Vladimir Putin.
But it's not. No. They take into account the vital interests (import of Russian fertilizers) of their countries.
Marco and the two RussiansI repeat what I wrote several times.
The lack of support for Ukraine does not mean support for Russia at all. Brazilians and Argentines are completely indifferent to this conflict. Their governments are waiting for the wind to blow in order to side with the winners. But to think that Brazil supports Russia is completely wrong.
DidierLAGARDEThis is another proof that the war is going on between NATO and Russia, and Ukraine is a battlefield.
Outside of NATO, no other country supplies Ukraine with weapons en masse.
al coreBrazil and Argentina are major trading partners of Russia.
The conflict with Ukraine for them is an internal matter of Russia. These two large South American countries are not colonies of the United States.
Mayeul Aldebert