247 - Secondary sanctions are making it difficult to strengthen commercial ties between countries, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Monday (8).

"The introduction of extraterritorial measures threatens our institutions, secondary sanctions limit our freedom to strengthen trade between friendly countries, 'divide and rule' is the new strategy of unilateral action, and BRICS must show that cooperation is above all," Lula said during an extraordinary online BRICS summit, convened on his initiative, according to statements released by the Sputnik news agency.

WAR IN UKRAINE

The resolution of the conflict in Ukraine must take into account the legitimate interests of all parties regarding security issues, Lula said.

"As far as Ukraine is concerned, it is necessary to pave the way for a realistic solution that takes into account the legitimate security interests of all parties," he declared.