Brazil’s president has resisted taking sides over the battle in Ukraine and has stated the United States and the European Union “need to start talking about peace”.
(AFP)
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was once more at odds with Europe over Ukraine whereas urgent his first European tour since resuming workplace in January.
On Saturday, Lula once more refused to be drawn into the warfare, calling for a “negotiated” settlement between Kiev and Moscow greater than a 12 months after the Russian offensive.
The Brazilian chief has angered Ukraine by saying Kiev shares the blame for the warfare and has not joined Western nations in imposing sanctions on Moscow or supplying ammunition to Kiev.
“While my government condemns the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, we support a negotiated political solution to the conflict,” Lula advised journalists after assembly Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon.
Lula stated he doesn’t wish to “please anyone” along with his views about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We urgently need a group of countries to sit round a table with both Ukraine and Russia,” Lula stated.
“Brazil does not want to take part in this war. Brazil wants to create peace.”
The veteran left-winger is searching for to revive his nation’s diplomatic ties after 4 years of relative isolation beneath his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, however tensions have been on show with the West over Ukraine.
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‘Different place’
Rebelo de Sousa stated: “President Lula believes the road to a just and lasting peace implies making negotiation a priority.
“Portugal has a unique place. We assume that for a highway to peace to change into a chance, Ukraine should first have the fitting to reply to the invasion.”
Portugal is a founding member of NATO and was among the first European countries to supply tanks to Kiev.
Lula, a 77-year-old former metalworker who served two previous terms as president from 2003 to 2010, has resisted taking sides over the conflict, neither with Europe and the United States, nor with China and Russia.
After a flurry of criticism from Europe, Kiev and the White House, which accused Lula of “parroting Russian and Chinese propaganda”, Lula said on Tuesday that Brazil “condemned” the Russian offensive.
On Friday, he announced he was sending top foreign policy advisor Cesar Amorim to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev, after representatives of the Ukrainian community in Portugal met the Brazilian delegation in Lisbon.
“Brazil is set to contribute to fostering dialogue and peace, and an finish to this battle,” the Brazilian government confirmed.
Rebelo de Sousa’s comments on Saturday were the second in days that took aim at Lula, who was recently named on Time magazine’s list of the world’s most influential people.
“Brazil’s place on the United Nations has all the time been the identical — on the aspect of Portugal, the United States and NATO,” the Portuguese head of state said earlier this week.
“If Brazil modifications its stance, that is none of Portugal’s business. We will stick with our views and we are going to disagree.”
Lula’s official journey to former colonial energy Portugal — throughout which the 2 governments will signal offers on power, science and schooling — shall be adopted by a two-day go to to Spain to fulfill King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Sanchez.
READ MORE: Live weblog: Brazil rejects US criticism, defends Russia ties
Source: AFP
Source: www.trtworld.com
