Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declined an invitation to attend the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event is scheduled to take place from June 14-17. Lula thanked Putin for the invitation but confirmed that he would not be able to travel to Russia at this time. However, he reiterated Brazil’s availability to assist in seeking peace between factions in conflict, alongside India, Indonesia and China.
This comes after a recent spat between Lula and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 Summit held in Japan, where a planned meeting between the two leaders did not materialize. The G7 Summit is an annual forum of the seven wealthiest democratic nations, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. Lula attempted to position himself as a mediator in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, creating a group of nations that aspired to achieve a negotiated peace deal.
Ukraine has been in conflict with its much larger neighbor, Russia, since President Putin ordered an invasion in February 2022. While many Western nations have been providing arms support to Ukraine and imposing financial sanctions on Moscow, Lula has been attempting to mediate the conflict.
Lula made a statement following the failed meeting with Zelensky in Japan, stating that he was “upset” and that he did not see the point in meeting with him. Lula went on to say that neither he nor Putin appeared to want peace, and both leaders believed they were on the brink of victory. This is not the first time Lula has been criticized for his sentiments towards Zelensky. Last year, he came under fire for claiming that Zelensky was “as responsible” for the war as Putin.
While Lula’s efforts to mediate the conflict between Ukraine and Russia are commendable, his approach may need to be adjusted. Many Western nations have been providing arms support to Ukraine and sanctions to Russia, and Lula’s approach may appear weak in comparison. It is essential to note that Brazil is not a major player in the global politics arena but can play a vital role in mediating discussions. Lula’s participation with other nations may be instrumental in ending the conflict in Ukraine.
In conclusion, Lula has declined Putin’s invitation to the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg and reiterated Brazil’s willingness to mediate discussions between factions in Ukraine. While Lula’s actions are commendable, his approach may need to be adjusted to align with that of the Western nations. His participation in discussions with other nations may be the key to finding a solution to ending the conflict in Ukraine.
