The US government should stop “promoting war” in Ukraine and “start talking about peace,” Brazilian President Lula da Silva said today as he concluded his visit to China, where he was recorded addressing Xi Jinping.

“The US should stop encouraging war and start talking about peace, the European Union should start talking about peace,” Lula told reporters before leaving for the United Arab Emirates.

In this way, the international community could “convince” Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky that “peace is in the interests of the whole world,” he insisted.

Lula, who returned to Brazil’s presidency in January after serving two terms in 2003 and 2010, made a two-day visit to China as part of his drive to strengthen bilateral economic ties with his country’s biggest trading partner. He took the opportunity to stress that Brazil is “returning” to the international arena and hopes to play a mediating role in the war in Ukraine.

The Brazilian centre-left leader is called upon to strike a delicate balance with the US and China, his country’s two biggest trading partners.

His trip to China, which included a more economic dimension in Shanghai and a more political dimension in Beijing, where he met with Xi Jinping, followed his February visit to Washington.

Lula is confident that the strengthening of relations between Brazil and Beijing will not have a negative impact on his country’s traditionally close relationship with the United States.

Unlike many Western powers, China and Brazil have never imposed economic sanctions on Russia in connection with the war, and both claim a mediating role.

The President of Brazil recently proposed the creation of a group of states that would work to restore peace in Ukraine. Before visiting China, he promised that this team would be “established” upon his return.

Asked about the idea after meeting with the Chinese president, Lula declined to elaborate.

According to him, “patience” and negotiations with Putin and Zelensky will be required.

“However, above all, the countries that supply weapons, that encourage war, must be persuaded to stop.”

Source: AFP, APE-MPE.