Portrait of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy on BRICS

Harsh critic of attendees (strong)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed strong disapproval regarding the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. He specifically linked attendance at the summit, particularly on United Nations Day, to a failure to uphold international law and justice.

Zelenskyy asserts that claiming neutrality in the war against Russia is equivalent to providing covert support to the aggressor nation. He contends that in the conflict between the victim and the aggressor, there can be no legitimate neutral stance.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy suggested that the summit, by hosting leaders like Vladimir Putin, failed to achieve unity and instead played into Putin's strategy to polarize the world against the West. He emphasized that the true guarantors of peace are organizations like the UN, when operating on fundamental human values.

Context

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's stance on BRICS is viewed through the lens of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The bloc, which includes Russia and nations often characterized as non-aligned or neutral like India and South Africa, is seen by Kyiv as a potential counterweight or forum for Russia to undermine Western solidarity.

His commentary is part of a broader diplomatic effort by Zelenskyy to pressure nations, particularly those in the Global South, to unequivocally support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, a goal he has also articulated at the UN General Assembly and the Global Peace Summit.

Timeline

  1. Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a harsh statement about the BRICS summit in Russia on UN Day, contrasting it with the role of the UN as a guarantor of justice and freedom.
  2. In an interview, Zelenskyy explicitly viewed leaders attending the BRICS summit in Kazan as being 'more pro-Russian' due to their stance on neutrality.

Key Quotes

Neutrality today in this war means support for the Russian side. Neutrality only helps the Russian Federation. There can be no neutrality between the aggressor and the victim.

The Times of India interview October 28, 2024 — Stating his view on nations claiming neutrality regarding the war.

I believe those who were at the BRICS summit and spoke about their neutrality, claiming they want to help resolve this conflict, appear more pro-Russian.

The Times of India interview October 28, 2024 — Commenting on the participants of the Kazan summit.

The one who unites nations on the basis of the UN Charter and human values will win the war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is sure.

Third parliamentary summit of the International Crimea Platform October 24, 2024 — Contrasting the values of the UN with the purpose of the BRICS meeting.

Related Positions

  • Russia-Ukraine War Zelenskyy's position on BRICS is directly tied to his overarching strategy to isolate Russia diplomatically and economically following its invasion.
  • United Nations (UN) Zelenskyy frequently contrasts the BRICS forum with the principles of the UN Charter, positioning the latter as the legitimate body for global justice.
  • China's Role His criticism of BRICS implicitly targets members like China, whose economic ties with Russia Zelenskyy has previously criticized for prolonging the war.