The Brazilian President’s special envoy for international affairs met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Brazilian President’s statements, which drew condemnation from Kiev, the United States and Europe.
Celso Amorim’s adviser, a former foreign minister, told Brazilian newspaper O Globo after the meeting that Zelenskyy understood that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was working for peace.
The Folha de S. Paulo newspaper quoted Amorim as saying that his dialogue with Ukrainian officials was positive and had built trust, and helped clarify Brazil’s peace goals.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry has forwarded questions to The Associated Press about Amorim’s meetings with the Brazilian presidential administration, which has not yet responded to them.
Previously, Lula had called for a ceasefire and proposed the creation of a club of peace mediators, which would include Brazil.
At the same time, he refused to supply arms to Kiev, made comments partly blaming Ukraine for the Russian invasion and said the United States and Europe were boosting the fighting.
His words were criticized by all parties mentioned and raised questions about Brazil’s impartiality in the peace talks.
In April, Amorim traveled to Moscow, where he met with President Vladimir Putin.
Lula then received Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who expressed his gratitude to Brazil for “a good understanding of the genesis of this situation”.
Following the meeting, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby denounced Brazil’s approach to the war and the way Brazilian officials met Putin and Lavrov in person, while Ukrainian officials spoke only by phone.
Critics say Brazil is trying to avoid a confrontation with Russia, which is a key supplier of fertilizer for its soybean plantations.
On Wednesday, Amorim also met with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk.
“Brazil can play an important role in stopping Russian aggression and achieving a lasting and just peace,” Melnik tweeted.
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