Brazil's Lula to push Putin to negotiate with Zelensky in Istanbul
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he will personally urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul.
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Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2025. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)
Brazil's president said on Wednesday he will press Russian President Vladimir Putin in person to attend negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey, joining growing international calls for Moscow to engage in talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to stop in Moscow on his return to Brazil following the conclusion of a regional forum in China.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing before his departure, Lula said: "I'll try to talk to Putin," adding, "It costs me nothing to say, 'Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate, dammit'."
The negotiations, scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul, would mark the first direct talks between Kiev and Moscow since 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Lula's remarks came a day after the Ukrainian foreign minister called on Brazil to use its diplomatic leverage with Russia to help arrange a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. The appeal followed a joint statement issued by Brazil and China, emphasizing that direct negotiations remain the "only way to end the conflict."
On Tuesday, Zelensky urged US President Donald Trump, touring Middle Eastern countries, to travel to Turkey and join the proposed talks.
The Kremlin has not yet confirmed whether Putin will attend the meeting in person, stating only that the "Russian delegation will be present."
Turkey ready to host Russia-Ukraine talks
Turkey is standing by to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, pending agreement from both sides on the framework of the talks.
Speaking to RIA Novosti, a spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) affirmed on May 11 that the country is logistically and diplomatically prepared to hold the proposed meeting in Istanbul.
"I think this will not take much time. Turkey, as a world center where conflicts are resolved, has enough experience. We need to wait for details from the sides," the official said, citing Ankara’s experience in previous mediation efforts, including the 2022 grain deal.
The initiative follows Putin’s invitation to Ukrainian leaders to meet for unconditional talks in Istanbul on May 15. The AKP representative underlined the importance of shielding the process from outside disruption, "We must do everything so that the process, if it begins, is not interrupted.
