Vitório Sorotiuk, President of the Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation (UBCR), co-organized the first-ever address by the Ukrainian ambassador at the Paraná local legislature in Brazil.
The speech by Amb. Andriy Melnyk took place on Feb. 11, beginning with lines from Brazilian author Clarice Lispector: “Peace is the answer we seek every dawn.”
Melnyk noted that Lispector is one of Brazil’s most renowned writers and was born in the Ukrainian town of Chechelnyk in Vinnytsia region.
Her family fled Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War of 1917-1921.
“The tragic fate of Clarice Lispector, who lost her Ukraine a century ago, resonates with the plight of millions of Ukrainians who are now victims of a new, far more brutal Russian aggression,” the Ukrainian diplomat said.
Andriy Melnyk addressing the Paraná legislature in Brazil. Credit: Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He emphasized that Ukraine has been fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion for three years.
“First and foremost, because we – just like you, Brazilians – love our country deeply, and under no circumstances will we ever surrender a single square millimeter of our homeland,” Melnyk said.
However, despite Ukraine’s ongoing struggle, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva continues to stand aside, “clinging to its traditional policy of neutrality and non-intervention.”
“All our requests for assistance have gone unanswered,” Melnyk said, urging Brazil to support Ukraine.
“Brazil must stand on the right side of history,” he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed parliamentarians, please do everything in your power to influence the federal government and change its position on Russian aggression,” Melnyk added.
The full video of the speech is available via the provided link.
Cover: Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
