Specialists analyze views of Brazil and China on Russia, Ukraine and the conflict in Eastern Europe

The week begins with the visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to China, on his fourth international trip since the beginning of his third term.

Lula should meet the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, at this terça-feira (28). There is an expectation that Brazil and China will agree on memorandums of understanding in the areas of environment, tourism, agriculture, science and technology.

Além disso, Lula and Xi must deal with sensitive issues, such as Russia, Ukraine and the conflict that develops in Eastern Europe. TO CNN I consulted specialists on the matter. Check below:

In the evaluation of Regiane Nitsch Bressanprofessor of International Relations at Unifesp, the prosperous relationship between Brazil and Russia – cultivated through two Brics, for example – prevents a more assertive condemnation by the Brazilian government of the war in Ukraine.

“The position taken by Itamaraty is quite discreet. Even if Brazil defends democracy and autonomy of the two peoples, we fear this tradition of non-intervention. In that case, it’s like Brazil didn’t want to take sides in the war”, he explains.

Also, Regiane points out that there is no “significant trade” between Brazil and Ukraine. No meanwhile, she stresses that it is not forcing Brazil to compromise with the Russian invasion.

“It is not because Brazil develops a more prosperous relationship [com a Rússia]that he supports the war ”, he adds.

divergent positions

Second Barbara Motta, Professor of International Relations at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), China’s relationship to how it fights against Ukraine, in turn, diverges from that assumed by Brazil. She cites three factors that help us understand the scenario:

“The relations between Brazil and Russia and China and Russia are different, even though the three countries are part of two Brics. The impacts of the war for China and for Brazil are also different”. To all isso, sum-se or fact of “the relations of each one of two countries like the United States will also be different.”

According to a specialist, the end of the conflict in Ukraine appears to be, in economic terms, more advantageous for Brazil than for China.

“The rapprochement between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin was already intense and the war increased. The conflict placed some elements that would bring Russia closer to the Chinese sphere of influence. Therefore, China can serve as a partner so that the economic situation in Russia will not be as catastrophic as it can be”, he affirms.

In February, Pequim requested a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine in a document disclosed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China also called for the end of unilateral sanctions against Moscow and emphasized its opposition to the use of nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe.

For Letícia SimõesUniversity professor and member of the Center for Contemporary China and Asia Studies (CEA-UFF), during Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow last week, Putin understands that Beijing’s requests can be discussed.

“Thinking of an idea of ​​cooperation and strategic relationship between Russia and China, Moscow saw the possibility of Beijing as a mediator of the conflict in a positive way,” he analyzes.

Letícia considers that the trip of the Chinese leader to Russia signals an “opening for China to position itself as a mediator of this conflict.”

“We think of the war in Ukraine as a proxy war, we have a West-East conflict. At the same time that Xi Jinping visits Putin, the Japanese prime minister goes to kyiv, making it very clear that the war is not only about Ukraine”, he completes.

Regarding Lula’s visit to China, Letícia indicates that the trip highlights the important role of both countries towards emerging and developed countries.