Ukraine conflict sparks disagreements at EU-Latin America summit
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva surrounded by Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, Presidents of the European Council and Commission, in Brussels July 17, 2023. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
The summit between the member states of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) in Brussels was supposed to provide an opportunity for rapprochement, but differences over the war in Ukraine have affected discussions.
The wording of the final declaration, in which the Europeans explicitly addressed the Russian aggression, provoked lengthy discussions before and during the summit. Talks were still ongoing late Tuesday afternoon.
Only Nicaragua is “reluctant” to the latest version of the text, French President Emmanuel Macron said on the second day of this summit, which was attended by around fifty leaders. According to several diplomatic sources, Venezuela and Cuba, other Moscow partners, have also expressed reservations.
Emmanuel Macron underscored the role played by his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, believing he was “one of those who make it possible to build bridges”. The Brazilian president drew criticism from the international community for repeatedly claiming responsibility for the conflict was shared, even as he recently condemned the Russian invasion.
His idea of forming a “peace group” of neutral countries to mediate the conflict was coldly received. Brazil has refused to impose sanctions on Russia, which Lula says “punish the most vulnerable.” “I think he is now fully aware of the nature of this war and its food or other consequences,” Emmanuel Macron said.
“It’s hard to imagine here in Europe, but in Latin America, Russia is portrayed as a peaceful country that was attacked by NATO,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki previously commented. Latin American countries had made it clear before the summit that they did not want the Ukraine issue to monopolize the discussions to the detriment of other priorities, and in particular hoped to advance the EU-Mercosur agreement (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) .