Brazil has dismissed U.S. criticism claiming that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is echoing Russian and Chinese propaganda on the Ukraine battle as he welcomed held discussions with Moscow’s prime diplomat Monday.
Lula’s assembly with Sergei Lavrov in Brasilia follows state visits to China and the Middle East, throughout which he mentioned the United States ought to “stop encouraging war and start talking about peace” in Ukraine.
He additionally claimed that Kyiv shares the blame for the battle, which started when Russian forces poured into Ukraine in February 2022.
Lula’s remarks echoed a line continuously utilized by Moscow and its strategic ally Beijing, which blame the West for the battle.
China seeks to place itself as impartial on the Ukraine battle, however has maintained its partnership with Moscow and avoided imposing sanctions.
In the Brazilian capital, Lavrov thanked Lula for his discussions final week on in search of to assist mediate peace talks.
But Lula’s current remarks on Ukraine sparked criticism from the White House, which has spearheaded worldwide efforts to isolate Moscow and bolster Kyiv.
“In this case, Brazil is parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda without at all looking at the facts,” U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters Monday.
He described Lula’s message on the battle as “deeply problematic.”
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, who had additionally met along with his Russian counterpart, shot again, saying: “I don’t know how or why he reached that conclusion but I do not agree at all.”
Despite Lula’s feedback in regards to the United States, the 77-year-old, who returned to energy in January after serving two phrases from 2003 to 2010, can be in search of nearer ties with Washington.
His visits to China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) got here after assembly in February with U.S. President Joe Biden.
Latin America tour
Meanwhile, G-7 overseas ministers warned Tuesday that any nation serving to Russia’s battle effort would face “severe costs.”
Meeting in Japan, the highest diplomats from the world’s main economies pledged to crack down on these serving to Russia evade sanctions and purchase weapons.
Brazil has not joined Western nations in imposing sanctions on Russia for its invasion and has refused requests to produce ammunition to Ukraine.
“We are grateful to our Brazilian friends for their clear understanding of the genesis of the situation (in Ukraine). We are grateful for their desire to contribute to finding ways of settling this situation,” Lavrov mentioned after assembly along with his Brazilian counterpart.
“We are interested in resolving the conflict as soon as possible,” he added.
But he mentioned that any answer must be primarily based on “multipolarity,” accusing the West of “trying to dominate the international arena.”
Washington doesn’t have “any objection to any country that wants to try to bring an end to the war,” Kirby mentioned.
“That could happen right now, today, if Mr. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin would stop attacking Ukraine and pull its troops out.”
Brazil is Lavrov’s first cease on a weeklong Latin American tour that can even embrace Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba – international locations with leftist governments hostile towards the U.S.
Lavrov and Brazil’s Vieira mentioned their talks had additionally centered on vitality and commerce.
About 1 / 4 of agricultural powerhouse Brazil’s fertilizer imports come from Russia, whereas the 2 international locations engaged in a document $9.8 billion in bilateral commerce final yr.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
