Brazil: Lula Calls Putin, Attention to BRICS, Bilateral Agenda, Ukraine Conflict

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had a lengthy telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, during which they discussed issues on the global and bilateral agenda. A statement released by the government of Brazil, the country currently holding the BRICS presidency, emphasized that “Lula expressed deep concern about the international situation” and “reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to promoting world peace.”

For his part, Putin thanked the Brazilian president for his contribution to the search for a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine and expressed interest in the work of the Friends of Peace group created in September 2024 by Brazil and China at the UN.

The two leaders also agreed to keep in constant contact on the issue. The Russian leader proposed the reactivation of the High-Level Bilateral Commission between the two countries and congratulated Lula on the launch of the Global Alliance to Fight Hunger and Poverty during Brazil’s presidency in the G20, recalling that Russia was one of the first countries to join the initiative. According to sources in the Kremlin, Brazil – contrary to Kiev’s negative stance – could become an important guarantor of hypothetical peace agreements in Ukraine. “Before starting a dialog with US President Donald Trump, the Russian president received confirmation of his support from Brazil, a very important player in the international arena,” Russian political analyst Alexei Malinin said.

During the phone call, Putin expressed support for Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship, expressing readiness to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment facilitation among members of this international organization. Lula and Putin welcomed Indonesia’s entry as a full member of the group. The Brazilian president then thanked Russia for the invitation to Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in World War II on May 9 and expressed his intention to participate in the event. Putin expressed satisfaction with Lula’s possible visit, emphasizing the importance of strengthening comprehensive relations between Russia and Brazil.