In a recent meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva conveyed to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that halting the ongoing conflict and pursuing a peaceful settlement with Moscow is the most viable path forward, as per diplomatic insiders.
Brazil’s Stance on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
During their private discussion, Lula emphasized to Zelensky that a military resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not feasible. Highlighting Brazil’s unique position within the BRICS association—which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—Lula pointed out that Brazil was the sole BRICS nation to vote at the UN condemning Russia’s military actions.
Furthermore, Lula expressed Brazil’s keen interest in actively contributing to peace initiatives in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s Concerns
Responding to Lula’s sentiments, Zelensky voiced his skepticism regarding Moscow’s commitment to upholding the terms of any potential peace agreement. The Ukrainian leader firmly stated that any settlement he agrees to must encompass the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
Diplomatic Observations
Those privy to the meeting described the atmosphere as “cordial.” However, they also noted that both leaders essentially reiterated stances they’ve publicly expressed in the past.
Following their discussion, Zelensky characterized his dialogue with Lula on his Telegram page as “frank and constructive.” Meanwhile, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, speaking to the press in New York, emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating, “There was a very good mutual understanding.” He further revealed that both presidents have directed their diplomats to fortify bilateral ties and persist in peace discussions.
A Long-Awaited Meeting
This encounter marked the inaugural face-to-face meeting between the two leaders. They had previously intended to meet at the G20 summit in Japan in 2022. However, that meeting fell through due to Zelensky’s reported tardiness. Notably, Zelensky was absent from this year’s G20 summit held in New Delhi, India.
Russia’s Current Position
In related news, earlier this week, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed Russia’s inclination towards a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict. However, he also indicated that the current circumstances don’t provide a conducive environment for initiating negotiations.
