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Ukraine Expresses Frustration with G20: While Bombings Devastated Odessa, Brazil Denied Zelensky’s Request and Ignored the Largest Global Conflict Since 1945. Ambassador Dismisses Nuclear Risk, Criticizes Lula for Not Using His Influence, and Denounces Lack of Pressure Against Russia.
On the international stage, few topics are as urgent as the war in Ukraine. However, the recent G20 meeting held in Brazil avoided directly confronting the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II.
This stance provoked direct criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador to Brazil, Andrii Melnyk, who revealed surprising details about the Brazilian position, downplayed Russian nuclear threats, and argued that the absence of Volodymyr Zelensky was a missed opportunity for peace negotiations.
While world leaders discussed food and energy security, Kiev’s eyes were on Brasília, hoping for more robust support that, according to Melnyk, never came.
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The U.S. Army and Navy jointly tested a missile that exceeds Mach 5 and travels at over 6,100 km/h — it maneuvers in the air, evades any radar, and no existing defense system is capable of intercepting it.
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An American nuclear submarine fired a single torpedo at an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean and sent it to the bottom — it’s the first time the United States has done this since the end of World War II, in 1945.
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The new Type 076 drone carrier from China is heading for tests in the South China Sea, in the same waters where the US, Japan, and the Philippines are conducting exercises with about 19,000 soldiers, while the aircraft carrier Liaoning is also advancing to the region.
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For the first time in history, an F-35 shot down a manned fighter in real combat — the target was a Russian Yak-130 jet flying over Tehran, and the two Iranian pilots ejected seconds before the crash.
Brazil at the G20: A Neutral Stance that Frustrated
According to Andrii Melnyk, the G20 could have been an essential platform to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
However, Brazil chose not to prioritize the topic. In an interview with GloboNews, the ambassador described Brazil’s distancing from a conflict that affects not only Europe but the entire globe as “disappointing.”
“Brazil did not want to deal with this issue. For us, it was a great disappointment to see the biggest war in the world since 1945 being relegated in the debate,” Melnyk stated.
The diplomat’s dissatisfaction is also due to the rejection of a request from Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who wished to participate in the meeting.
According to him, President Lula denied the request, limiting discussions about the war to a peripheral role in the event.
Final Declaration: Silence on Russia
The official G20 declaration highlighted the humanitarian and economic impact of the war, calling for an end to the conflict and welcoming initiatives for lasting peace.
However, there was no direct mention of Russia as responsible for the war, which generated criticism from experts and Ukrainian authorities.
Melnyk pointed out that the absence of explicit references weakens international pressure against Moscow, a point corroborated by Professor Carlos Frederico Coelho from the PUC Institute of International Relations.
“Last year, there was explicit mention of Russia in the G20 declaration. This time, it was omitted, showing a more neutral and generic stance,” the expert explained.
For Melnyk, this neutrality does not contribute to peace. He argued that influential countries like Brazil have the responsibility to take firmer positions regarding global crises.
“The G20 had the potential to be the start of new peace discussions, but this was discarded,” he lamented.
Nuclear Escalation? A Dismissed Risk
Among the most controversial topics, the nuclear threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin were classified by Melnyk as not very concerning.
The ambassador emphasized that, over the thousand days of war, the Kremlin has resorted to this rhetoric several times but has never followed through on its threats.
“If Russia used nuclear weapons, it would be a red line not just for us, but also for countries like Brazil and China. Undoubtedly, Moscow would lose the little credibility it still has,” Melnyk assessed.
The diplomat believes that nuclear threats are part of a strategy of intimidation that should not be taken seriously by the international community.
Attacks Amid the G20
While the leaders of the world’s major economies were gathered, the reality in Ukraine remained brutal.
On the first day of the summit, Russian bombings in Odessa resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, according to Melnyk. The following day, new attacks left another 12 victims. These events, the ambassador highlighted, reinforce the urgency for more decisive global action.
Another issue addressed was the United States’ decision to allow the use of American missiles in Russian territory.
The ambassador clarified that Ukraine will use this weaponry exclusively against military targets, respecting international war laws.
Lula and His Influence: An Underestimated Role?
Melnyk also highlighted the role that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva could play as a mediator in the conflict.
He believes that Brazil’s global influence would be valuable for initiating constructive dialogues between Russia and Ukraine. However, according to the diplomat, Lula has shown no interest in actively engaging in this front.
“Brazil has diplomatic weight, but the lack of engagement limits its impact on global crises like this. It’s a missed opportunity,” he argued.
A Call for More Involvement
Although frustrated with the G20, the ambassador reiterated that Ukraine will continue to seek international support to curb Russian aggression.
“Our message is clear: the war cannot be ignored, as its consequences affect everyone. We need allies committed to peace,” Melnyk concluded.
Should Brazil abandon its neutral stance and take a more active position regarding the conflict in Ukraine?
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