Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made an unexpected statement regarding possible active involvement in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
In his comments directed at President Lula da Silva, it was emphasized that he will personally make efforts to persuade Vladimir Putin to participate in upcoming diplomatic talks in Istanbul. According to sources from Kyiv Post and Hurriyet Daily News, the Brazilian president is already planning to make a stop in Moscow in the coming days on his way home after completing his participation in a regional forum held in China. Afterwards, he intends to personally approach the Russian leader with a request to take part in the future negotiations. On the eve of his departure, during a press conference in Beijing, Lula da Silva stated: "I will try to talk to Putin. It’s not difficult for me at all to tell him directly: 'Hey, comrade Putin, come to Istanbul and negotiate, for God's sake!'” This statement was made amid expectations surrounding the planned negotiations in Turkey on May 15, which could mark the first direct contacts between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022. Overall, the diplomatic activity of the Brazilian leadership continues amid increasing international pressure, especially after Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs called on countries worldwide, including Brazil, on May 13 to use their influence to facilitate efforts to organize a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, Brazil, along with China, issued a joint statement explicitly emphasizing that direct negotiations are the only effective way to end the conflict. These diplomatic steps and the statement demonstrate Brazil’s desire to play an important role in seeking paths toward peace and stability in the region. It is expected that Lula da Silva’s efforts could become a starting point for new diplomatic initiatives and potentially open the way to the long-awaited dialogue between the parties engaged in the year-long war. However, time will tell how successful Brazil’s efforts will be in convincing Moscow to participate and what consequences this may have for the future negotiation process in the region.