BUENOS AIRES, May 12. /TASS/. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered his candidacy as a mediator in potential negotiations with Ukraine during talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on May 9, CNN Brasil reported, citing chief presidential advisor Celso Amorim.
According to the TV channel, during the talks Lula da Silva discussed the proposals previously prepared by the joint efforts of Beijing and Brasilia and "offered his assistance as a mediator." Amorim added that the Brazilian leader's position is close to that of the administration of US President Donald Trump, which is to promote the early start of the negotiation process.
The diplomat added that the European Union should also have played a fundamental role in starting negotiations on a peace settlement that would allow the association to pay more attention to domestic issues such as migration and social security. At the same time, the chief presidential advisor recalled that the Russian leadership "will not allow Ukraine to join NATO."
Earlier, summarizing the results of his visit to Russia, Lula da Silva said that he also intends to discuss the settlement in Ukraine with the authorities of China and France. According to the president, Brazil will continue the dialogue with those who are really interested in achieving peace in Ukraine.
In the early morning hours of May 11, Vladimir Putin, speaking to reporters in the Kremlin, suggested that the Kiev authorities resume without preconditions the direct talks Ukraine had interrupted in 2022. It is proposed to start the dialogue on May 15 in Istanbul. Vladimir Zelensky, for his part, said that Ukraine had been waiting for a ceasefire since May 12 and was ready to start talks with Russia in Turkey as early as May 15. This statement came after US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to immediately agree to the talks proposed by the Russian leader.