Lula Pushes Peace Plan for Ukraine, Urges UN Reform at General Assembly

At the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil, presented a proposal for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This initiative, however, has already faced opposition from Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian President.

Lula, who is currently serving his third term as Brazil's leader, did not provide specific details about the six-point plan during his address. The proposal, which became public in May 2024 following a visit to Beijing by Lula's foreign policy advisor Celso Amorim, suggests de-escalation and direct dialogue without requiring Russian withdrawal.

Brazilian diplomats have announced that Amorim will seek support for this plan from representatives of 20 nations during a meeting in New York on September 29, 2024. The gathering will primarily include countries from the Global South, a term used to describe developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

"The Brazilian-Chinese proposal is destructive and our summit initiative is the only viable peace format."

Lula's speech also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, warning of its dangerous expansion into Lebanon. He emphasized that the right of defense has transformed into a right of revenge, hindering hostage release negotiations and delaying ceasefire efforts.

The Brazilian leader reiterated his country's call for United Nations reform, criticizing the organization's inability to effectively represent the world and prevent wars. Lula highlighted the exclusion of Latin American and African nations from permanent seats on the UN Security Council, describing it as an "unacceptable reflection of the colonial past."

It's worth noting that Brazil has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council 10 times, more than any other country. The last major reform of this crucial body occurred in 1965, expanding it from 11 to 15 members.

Lula also expressed concern over the vast sums spent annually on military arsenals. Global military expenditure reached $2.24 trillion in 2022, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The Brazilian President argued that these funds should instead be directed towards eliminating poverty and combating climate change, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals aimed at eradicating poverty by 2030.

The United Nations, founded in 1945 after World War II, comprises 193 member states in its General Assembly. While this body provides equal representation, the Security Council, with its five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), holds significant power, including the ability to impose sanctions and authorize military action.

As the world grapples with ongoing conflicts and global challenges, Lula's speech underscores the need for diplomatic solutions and institutional reforms to address these pressing issues effectively.