In Portugal visit, Brazil's Lula backs Russia-Ukraine talks to end war
The Hindu
Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva on April 22 again refused to be drawn into the war in Ukraine, calling for a “negotiated” settlement between Kyiv and Moscow.
Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva on April 22 again refused to be drawn into the war in Ukraine, calling for a "negotiated" settlement between Kyiv and Moscow.
Mr. Lula, who is seeking to revive Brazil's role as a dealmaker and go-between, has angered Ukraine by saying Kyiv shared blame for the war and has not joined Western nations in imposing sanctions on Moscow or supplying ammunition to Kyiv.
"While my government condemns the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, we support a negotiated political solution to the conflict," Mr. Lula told journalists after meeting Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon.
"We urgently need a group of countries to sit round a table with both Ukraine and Russia," he said.
"Brazil does not want to take part in this war. Brazil wants to build peace."
Portugal's President said: "President Lula believes the road to a just and lasting peace implies making negotiation a priority.
"Portugal has a different position. We think that for a road to peace to become a possibility, Ukraine must first have the right to respond to the invasion."
With a new government in place in Delhi, Singapore hopes to schedule the Ministerial Roundtable with India shortly, says Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. In an exclusive interview, he speaks about the impact of the elections on ties, the “missed opportunity” of RCEP and the new buzz around Andhra Pradesh’s capital Amaravati.