Friday, May 26, 2023
Economic Forum without Brazil Lula rejects Putin
Brazil’s President Lula has declined the invitation to the economic forum in St. Petersburg.
(Photo: picture alliance / AA)
Brazil’s President Lula has recently caused anger in the West with allegedly pro-Russian statements. However, he apparently avoids a clear commitment to Russia. The left-wing politician is currently rejecting an invitation to the economic forum in St. Petersburg.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has declined an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to St. Petersburg in a telephone conversation. “I thanked (Putin) for the invitation to the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg and replied that I cannot come to Russia at the moment,” Lula wrote on Twitter.
“But I have confirmed that Brazil, like India, Indonesia and China, is ready for dialogue with both parties in the conflict in order to achieve peace,” added the Brazilian president, referring to the Ukraine war.
Although Brazil has condemned the Russian war of aggression, it is urging Ukraine to negotiate peace. Lula has proposed his country as a mediator, along with other “neutral” states such as China and Indonesia. The Brazilian president was recently criticized after accusing western countries of prolonging the war with their arms deliveries.
Lula doesn’t want to meet Zelenskyy
A meeting between Lula and his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelenskyj at the G7 summit in Japan fell through a few days ago. Lula said afterwards that he saw no point in meeting Zelenskyj at the moment. Neither Zelenskyy nor Putin are interested in peace.
According to the Kremlin, Putin confirmed in the phone call with Lula that Moscow is open to “political and diplomatic dialogue” with regard to Ukraine. However, the talks are “blocked” by Kiev and its western allies. The Economic Forum in St. Petersburg will take place on June 14-17.
Source: ntv.de
as /AFP
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