Ukraine has asked Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to mediate in talks with Russia. Lula is seen as one of the figures who could bring the parties closer to the negotiating table.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects Lula to convince Vladimir Putin to personally join the negotiation process. The aim is for Putin to eventually agree to meet with the Ukrainian leader and mediators.
The Brazilian government attributes this request to Kyiv's difficulty in finding direct channels and avenues for contact with Moscow. This assessment also highlights the expectations surrounding Brazil's diplomatic role.
Lula da Silva has pursued a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war from the outset. In 2024, Brazil, together with China, presented a six-point peace initiative that envisioned an international conference and was based on a framework acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv.