Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are equally responsible for the war in Ukraine, former Brazillian President and current presidential frontrunner Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told Time in an article published on Wednesday, putting the former official at odds with the West who are trying to paint Moscow as the one to blame.

"I see the president of Ukraine, speaking on television, being applauded, getting a standing ovation by all the (European) parliamentarians," Brazil's president from 2003 to 2010 told the Time, which published a story on his attempt at becoming President again against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

"[Zelensky] is as responsible as Putin for the war," the leftist icon added.

His remarks will likely be met with dismay from the West as a whole as it pumps more and more arms into Ukraine in light of heavy sanctions on Russia over the war that the US and Europe see as an act of "unprovoked Russian aggression".

Lula stressed that Zelensky should have taken the diplomatic route with Russia, which opposed Ukraine's moves to join NATO, and held discussions with Moscow to avoid a conflict with his eastern neighbor.

"We should be having a serious conversation. OK, you were a nice comedian. But let us not make war for you to show up on TV," he said in a jab at Zelensky, who rose to fame due to being an actor and comedian.

He also took a jab at US President Joe Biden.

"Biden could have taken a plane to Moscow to talk to Putin. This is the kind of attitude you expect from a leader," he said. 

Lula is currently leading his far-right incumbent opponent for the October elections, and he was a pivotal player on the international diplomatic stage during his two-term presidency, giving Brazil its diplomatic momentum and fame.

He was a bridge-builder between nations at odds, as he maintained ties with his contrasting counterparts, such as US President George W. Bush and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.