Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has sent the country's military to the Amazon Forest to deal with a raging fire.
His move comes amid blistering criticism from his detractors for not treating the fire with the seriousness it deserves.
The European Union had threatened to take strong action in retaliation to Bolsonaro's apparent inaction.
"Forest fires happen all over the world, so this is no reason to impose international sanctions. Brazil will continue to be as it is now a country that is friendly with everyone and is responsible with protection its forest," the conservative president said according to Aljazeera.
His environmental policy has been the subject of great concern, especially to environmental activists.
In spite of the attacks from critics, the Brazilian president proclaimed his love for the Amazon Forest, hailing Brazil as an example of sustainability.
"Brazil is an example of sustainability. It is our duty to protect the forest. We are aware of this and we are taking action to fight illegal deforestation and any other criminal activities that put our Amazon at risk, " he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron has asked the Brazilian environmental crisis be part of the agenda of a G7 meeting, accusing his Brazilian counterpart of lying about climate change.