Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Easter Sunday that he had discussed with China and the United Arab Emirates joint mediation in the war between Russia and Ukraine, accusing the US and Europe of prolonging the conflict.

Lula made the announcement during a press conference in Abu Dhabi after completing official visits to the Emirates and China, hoping that the two countries and others will join the “G20 policy” to try to end the war that erupted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The war was caused by “decisions taken by the two countries,” the Brazilian president assessed, keeping an equal distance.

“President Putin is showing no initiative to end the war. (President Volodymyr) Zelensky of Ukraine is showing no initiative to end the war,” Lula said through an official interpreter.

“Europe and the US continue to contribute to the continuation of the war. While they have to sit at the table and say “Enough”.

In China, Brazil’s president accused Washington of “promoting war” in Ukraine.

Lula said he suggested that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping set up a group of countries to act as mediators.

“The G20 was created to cure the (global) economy, which was in crisis,” Lula said. “Now it is important to create another type of G20 to end this war and establish peace. This is my intention, and I believe that we will succeed.”

“Yesterday I spoke with the Sheikh about the war. I spoke with Xi Jinping about the war. And I believe that we are meeting with a group of people who would rather talk about peace than about war. And so I believe that we will succeed.”

Lula also said that he had already discussed his initiative with US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and South American leaders.

Lula, who is expected to return to Brazil late Sunday evening, said his delegation had signed $10 billion deals in China.

Brazil “returns”

Lula arrived in the Emirates on Good Saturday after a two-day visit to China, where the Brazilian leader, who returned to power after two terms from 2003 to 2010, said Brazil was “returning” to the international stage and hoped to play a mediating role. role in the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine.

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 Emirates also took a neutral stance in the conflict and attracted a large number of Russian businessmen fleeing Western sanctions, especially in Dubai, a major financial center.

The rich Gulf nation is Brazil’s second largest trading partner in the Middle East, according to official WAM news agency.

Trade between the two countries, excluding oil products, is expected to exceed $4 billion in 2022, up 32% from the previous year.

On Holy Saturday, they signed a number of agreements in the field of combating climate change and biofuels.

A joint statement from the two countries said the two leaders discussed issues such as trade, technology, defense, aviation and food security.

The announced agreements include cooperation to fight climate change and how the Emirati-controlled Mataripe refinery in Brazil’s northeast will invest $2.5 billion in a biofuel project in the region.

The UAE is expected to host the UN climate summit in Dubai in December, while Brazil is a candidate to host it in 2025.

Source: RES-IPE