This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used a speech before the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday to forcefully reject China and Brazil’s renewed push for a peace plan for Russia and Ukraine, questioning their “true” motivations in making the proposal.
In his speech at the opening of the assembly on Tuesday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva said Brazil and China wished to revive their six-point proposal to end the conflict, which was originally released in May. The two countries are reportedly set to host an event on the plan in New York on Friday with at least 20 other countries.
But Zelensky said the only acceptable peace plan was for Russia to withdraw its forces from his country and end the invasion, in line with the U.N. Charter’s principles of independence and territorial integrity.
“If someone in the world seeks alternatives to any of these points or tries to ignore any of them, it likely means they themselves want to do a part of what [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is doing,” Zelensky said, slamming China and Brazil for suggesting a brokered peace.
“When the Chinese-Brazilian duo tries to grow into a choir of voices – with someone in Europe, with someone in Africa – saying something alternative to a full and just peace, the question arises: What is the true interest?” he said. “You will not boost your power at Ukraine’s expense.”
Zelensky previously rejected the Chinese-Brazilian plan as “destructive” given that it would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, which the Ukrainian president said would be tantamount to defeat.
Questionable source
It’s not the first time questions have been raised about China and Brazil’s motivations in pushing for a negotiated peace.
China has been repeatedly accused by the United States of materially aiding Putin’s war effort, with officials in Washington going as far as to say the invasion would not be sustainable without Beijing’s help.
Outside commentators have suggested that China is closely watching the situation between Russia and Ukraine given its own aspirations to invade Taiwan, which it similarly regards as a renegade province.
Chinese officials have rejected the claims, defended China’s right to continue trading with Russia and said Washington is the only power sending munitions into the conflict through its support for Ukraine.
Brazil’s president, meanwhile, has also been accused of being too close with Putin, with whom he regularly speaks by telephone.
During his campaign to return to the Brazilian presidency, Lula called Zelensky “a bit weird.” He also accused him of not wanting to negotiate with Putin so the conflict could be prolonged and the former television star could spend more time in the global media speaking about it.
Further irking Zelensky, in April Lula also said that there was “no use” in talking about “who is right” or “who is wrong” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and that all that mattered was finding a peaceful outcome.
In his speech Wednesday, Zelensky said Putin was trying to use Russia’s power to return to a period of colonialism, and that previous victims of the practice should be the most outspoken critics.
“The world has already been through colonial wars and conspiracies of great powers at the expense of those who are smaller,” he said. “Every country – including China, Brazil, European nations, African nations, the Middle East – all understand why this must remain in the past.”
“Ukrainians will never accept – will never accept – why anyone in the world believes that such a brutal colonial past, which suits no one today can be imposed on Ukraine now instead of a normal, peaceful life.”
