RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira criticized the UN Security Council’s inaction on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine during the opening of a G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Vieira stated that the recent surge in global conflicts is evidence of the failure of international institutions like the UN to effectively address these challenges. He emphasized the need for urgent action, stating that the Security Council’s lack of response to ongoing conflicts was resulting in the loss of innocent lives.
During the two-day meeting, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly engaged in a candid conversation lasting over 90 minutes. The discussion took place in Brasilia prior to the G20 meeting.
Lula has been vocal in his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, going as far as accusing the country of committing “genocide” and drawing comparisons to Hitler’s actions during the Holocaust. These comments have sparked controversy and disagreement, particularly with the United States.
In response to Lula’s statements, a senior US State Department official emphasized their disagreement with the Brazilian President’s remarks. However, an official statement from the State Department only mentioned Blinken discussing US engagement in the conflict in Gaza, focusing on facilitating the release of Israeli captives and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as improving the protection of Palestinian civilians.
The meeting shed light on the divergent perspectives on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, highlighting the challenges of achieving consensus among international leaders. The exchange between Brazilian and US officials underscored the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in addressing these global crises.