Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has appealed to Latin America for support in addressing Russia’s alleged ‘colonialism’.
In a joint interview with the Spanish news agency EFE and various Latin American media, Zelensky cited Russia’s extraction and export of Ukrainian agricultural products as an example.
He referenced Latin America’s historical experiences with colonialism, urging solidarity with Ukraine.
Zelensky also spoke of the impact on Ukraine’s industrial sector, specifically referencing the Azovstal factory in Mariupol.
He called on Latin American countries to support Ukraine with humanitarian aid and to leverage their experience in areas such as demining, city reconstruction, and combating food insecurity.
Moreover, he expressed hope that Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, would form his own opinion, independent of Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
Despite Brazil’s offering to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Zelensky maintained that no talks would take place until Russia withdraws its troops from Ukrainian territories.
Zelensky reiterated the importance of understanding the conflict as an unprovoked aggression.
He concluded by asking for patience regarding Ukraine’s efforts to regain its territories, suggesting this process might be slower than anticipated.
The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has been identified as one of Europe’s most severe security crises since World War II.