The European Union appears to be leaning on Argentina to reconsider joining the BRICS bloc, amid the ongoing tensions over Ukraine, according to Bloomberg, which cited informed sources. The report suggests that Brussels is making a public and private push to keep Argentina aligned with Western interests rather than stepping into a broader alignment with BRICS members.
At the Brussels summit, leaders from the European Union and the Latin American and Caribbean Community (CELAC) faced a stalled process of finalizing their joint declaration. The friction centered on Ukraine, with several CELAC states taking distinct stances. Nicaragua chose to oppose condemning Russia’s actions, Venezuela did not participate in the vote, and Bolivia, Cuba, and El Salvador opted to abstain. This divergence reflected a broader debate about how the region should respond to the crisis and the role of major powers in shaping regional security narratives.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly signaled reservations about adopting stronger, harsher language against Russia, arguing for a more nuanced approach that avoids escalating rhetoric while still addressing the humanitarian and political concerns at stake. His position contributed to the difficulty of sealing a common front in the summit’s closing days, underscoring the challenge of reconciling varied national interests within CELAC and their external partners.
In response to the discord, European officials reportedly urged Argentina to resist steps toward BRICS membership, warning that any move could send a misleading signal to Moscow about regional cohesion. The guidance appears aimed at preserving a Western-aligned trajectory for Argentina, especially at a time when Western sanctions regimes and diplomatic pressures are closely watched by Moscow and its allies.
During a subsequent press briefing, Charles Michel, who previously served as President of the European Council, remarked that the EU-CELAC talks were unable to produce a final declaration due to the disagreements over Ukraine. The comment highlighted how deeply the Ukraine issue has influenced dialogue between Europe and Latin America and how it continues to shape strategic alignments in the Western hemisphere. The incident underscores the fragility of consensus when security and geopolitical alliances are at stake.
On the financial front, observers note that the EU has frozen a sizable portion of Russia’s sovereign assets within European borders, a move that has implications for global sanctions networks and the broader balance of economic leverage in the region. This enforcement action is frequently cited as part of the broader strategy to deter aggression and to signal that Western institutions remain committed to upholding international norms, even as diplomatic negotiations persist.