Ukraine seeks Brazil’s Lula as potential mediator in Russia talks

Ukrainian authorities are reportedly hoping that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva could play a mediating role in possible negotiations with Russia, according to the news portal UOL, citing sources within the Brazilian government.

The report said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested a meeting with Lula on the sidelines of a recent G7 summit in France and spent more than 40 minutes outlining Kyiv’s position to the Brazilian leader.

According to Brazilian officials cited in the report, Ukraine’s outreach reflects Lula’s comparatively close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which distinguish him from several European leaders.

UOL added that while no phone call or face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Lula is currently scheduled, the Russian and Brazilian presidents could hold bilateral talks during the upcoming BRICS summit in India, expected to take place in New Delhi in September.

By Sabina Mammadli