Brazil interested in mediating Ukraine war as Lula heads to Moscow
3 Min Read
Brazil signals interest in mediating the Ukraine conflict, with President Lula da Silva expected to propose peace talks during his upcoming visit to Moscow.
-
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a presentation of the federal government's achievements in the past two years, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, April 3, 2025 (AP)
The administration of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed its interest in playing a mediating role in efforts to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine, citing the lack of progress in US-led initiatives.
According to sources quoted by the O Globo newspaper, Brazil believes that Washington has failed to deliver on its promises to bring the conflict to an end, prompting Brasilia to step forward diplomatically.
Lula da Silva’s Moscow visit and peace proposal
Lula is expected to travel to Moscow soon to take part in the celebrations marking the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. During this visit, he is expected to present Brazil’s diplomatic capabilities to Russian officials, positioning the country as a potential peace broker.
Victory Day participation underscores foreign policy shift
The visit is seen as a demonstration of Brazil’s independent foreign policy, particularly in contrast to the Western approach to the conflict, the newspaper highlighted.
It added that Brasilia reportedly perceives Moscow as more willing to reach a negotiated settlement than either Kiev or the European Union.
Brazil critical of US approach to conflict resolution
Brazilian authorities have grown increasingly skeptical of the US approach to the Ukraine war, claiming it has produced few tangible results.
According to O Globo, this perception has motivated the Brazilian leadership to pursue a more active diplomatic role.
Brazilian chief presidential advisor reaffirms Lula’s role as ‘Ambassador of Peace’
Celso Amorim, chief presidential advisor and a key figure in Brazilian foreign policy, recently confirmed that Lula intends to act as an “ambassador of peace” during his trip to Russia.
Amorim emphasized that Brazil is ready to support any initiative that could lead to dialogue and conflict resolution between the involved parties.
US threatens quitting Russia-Ukraine peace effort
In late April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning that the United States may withdraw from its mediating role in the Ukraine conflict unless both Russia and Ukraine present concrete proposals for peace.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce relayed Rubio’s message to reporters, saying, “We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict.”
“If there is not progress, we will step back as mediators in this process,” Bruce added, emphasizing that the final decision rests with US President Donald Trump.
The president said in an interview for ABC News that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, appears interested in reaching a peace agreement. “I think he does,” Trump stated when asked if Putin wants peace.
Putin has proposed a three-day ceasefire to coincide with next week’s 80th anniversary commemorations of the end of World War II in Moscow. However, he declined to support a 30-day ceasefire backed by Ukraine and the US.
The United States wants "not a three-day moment so you can celebrate something else -- a complete, durable ceasefire and an end to the conflict," Bruce said.
Read more: Trump to NBC News: 'Russia should give up all of Ukraine'
