Lula urges Kiev to consider Brazil's peace plan as war intensifies

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Sep 2024 15:09

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously rejected the Brazilian-Chinese peace proposal, labeling it as "destructive" and merely a "political statement."

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 19, 2023. (AFP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged Ukraine on Monday to consider Brazil's counsel on pursuing peace in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

During a speech at a graduation ceremony at a diplomatic academy in the capital Brasilia, Lula emphasized the country's commitment to a peaceful foreign policy and its neutral stance on the Ukraine-Russia war.

“It is important for Brazil to say that we want peace, that we don’t want war,” he said, adding “Those who want to talk to us now could have talked to us before the war had started.”

Brazil “excels” at being part of a continent “that likes peace,” Lula remarked, further saying, “war only brings harm… it only destroys.”

China, Brazil introduce six-point ceasefire plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously rejected the Brazilian-Chinese peace proposal, labeling it as "destructive" and merely a "political statement."

In May, China and Brazil introduced a six-point plan, proposing a ceasefire along the existing front lines and urging both Moscow and Kiev to refrain from further "expansion of the battlefield." The plan also advocates for the renewal of direct negotiations between the two parties.

“You either support the war, or you don’t support the war. If you don’t support it, then help us stop Russia,” Zelensky told Brazilian news site Metropoles last week.

Kiev maintains that any resolution to the conflict must be grounded in its conditions, with the foremost demand being Russia's recognition of Ukraine's 1991 borders. Moscow has dismissed this as unrealistic and entirely unacceptable.

Last month, President Vladimir Putin stated that the prospects for negotiations had diminished further after Ukraine carried out an incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region, reportedly targeting civilians during the offensive. Despite the attack, Kiev did not hinder the progress of Russian forces in the Donbass region.