Brazilian President Lula da Silva aims to propose peace talks in Turkey involving Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky. In discussions, Lula emphasized a request from Ukraine for potential ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, tensions persist as economic sanctions loom, and Russia appears to prepare for a major offensive in Ukraine. A meeting between the leaders could represent a pivotal moment in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
In recent statements, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced plans to propose a peace summit in Turkey involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Reportedly, Lula conveyed this during a bilateral dinner in Moscow, where he was given a positive response from Putin about discussing a potential peace agreement.
The urgency of this meeting precedes a critical moment in the conflict, highlighted by Ukraine’s acceptance of an invitation to direct talks in Istanbul on May 15. Putin’s participation remains uncertain; nevertheless, Russia has confirmed it will send a delegate, with hints that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov might lead the delegation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, prior to Lula’s visit, had requested information on whether Putin would consider a ceasefire. Lula emphasized this in talks with the Russian leader, stating that he conveyed Zelensky’s message regarding the hope for a temporary truce, originally proposed back in March.
In a broader context, the international community seems to be reflecting on diplomatic solutions, as the conflict escalates with Russia reportedly preparing for a major offensive. Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down 80 drones recently, illustrating ongoing threats amid diplomatic efforts.
As these discussions unfold, the economic repercussions are also surfacing. The European Union is poised to raise tariffs on Ukrainian goods after June 6, with potential negative impacts on Ukraine’s economy during this tumultuous period. Meanwhile, tensions continue as Russia has shown reluctance towards a 30-day truce, contradicting various diplomatic calls for an easing of hostilities.
The situation’s complexity is compounded by the recent analysis from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics, indicating that time may not be favorable for Russia in the ongoing conflict. This finding aligns with wider international sentiments promoting a resolution to the warfare that has now persisted for over a year.
The potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin, if realized, marks a significant opportunity to rejuvenate stalled diplomatic pursuits aimed at ending the full-scale invasion by Russia. Yet, prior attempts at peace talks have failed, so whether this meeting will yield fruitful results is highly uncertain. Given that their last face-to-face encounter was in December 2019, any dialogue between these leaders is long overdue.
Brazil’s Lula is advocating for a reconciliation process by proposing a meeting in Turkey with Putin and Zelensky, amidst escalating conflict in Ukraine. The invitation to talks represents a flicker of hope for peace in a protracted war that has spanned more than a year. However, the skepticism regarding a successful ceasefire or lasting peace remains high, as have previous negotiations shown little promise.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
