"I just returned from Rio, where I was actively working behind the scenes with delegations, with everyone around. And, of course, for Ukraine, the outcomes of this summit in Brazil are a significant disappointment. There is no secret about this. The fact is that Brazil, from the very first days of its presidency [in the G20] at the beginning of this year, established this mainstream and decided that the issue of the war against Ukraine and Russian aggression should essentially be left out of the discussion," he stated.
According to the diplomat, Ukraine attempted to influence this position and hoped for the support of its partners.
"We honestly hoped that our friends not only from the 'Group of Seven' but also other Western countries that are members of the 'Group of Twenty' would help convince President [Brazil] Lula [da Silva] to change this approach. But, to be frank (and this has been confirmed by my conversations just recently in Rio de Janeiro with those who were, let's say, involved, that is, from insider circles, if you will), unfortunately, no one particularly fought for us (and this must be acknowledged and understood)..." the ambassador added.
He noted that in the final declaration of the summit, when compared to the declaration from last year's G20 meeting in India, there is a significant regression and setback.
"And this is a trend that should genuinely raise concern. It is not just about Ukraine. It is about the competition of these new states, which (I mean the Global South, particularly Brazil, which sees itself as one of the leaders of this movement) have posed a real challenge to the Western world," Melnyk explained.
These states are gaining economic and geopolitical weight; they are "creating a parallel world, a parallel reality to what we know," and this, according to the diplomat, is the greatest challenge.
"And that is why I am very sorry that our friends in the West – the 'Group of Seven' – either do not see this (but I think they see it quite well) or do not want to acknowledge it. Because, to accept this, one needs to completely change their approaches. We did not see this in Rio. Again: this is a significant blow for us. Without exaggeration. Those who were there, some of our individual friends from the 'Group of Seven' simply 'swallowed' what was put on the table for them. I was there – I spoke, in particular, with journalists who had access and shared how everything was happening behind the scenes. They themselves did not know what to say," he added.
Melnyk mentioned that it was a shock.
"And it only confirms my feelings. I have been working here for a year – I see the toothlessness of the West in all respects. And, if you will, even a kind of worldview defeat of the West. And this is indeed very dangerous," the diplomat emphasized.