Brazilian President says he won’t visit Russia or Ukraine, citing war

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivers a speech during the closing session of the National Front of Mayors (FNP) meeting in Brasilia on March 14, 2023. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP)

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (above) was invited to Kyiv during a video call in early March with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

PHOTO: AFP

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BRASILIA Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday that he would not visit Russia or Ukraine because of the ongoing war, but he remained committed to

a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The leftist leader added at an event in the capital Brasilia that the conflict triggered by

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

should be unthinkable.

“In the 21st century, it shouldn’t be possible that we have war over small things,” he said.

The comments follow a video call between Mr Lula and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in early March, when Mr Zelensky invited Mr Lula to visit Kyiv.

Since Moscow’s invasion in February 2022, Mr Zelensky has sought to boost his international support and has received visits from various heads of state, including

United States President Joe Biden.

In previous remarks, Mr Lula has advocated the creation of a group of countries that can mediate a peaceful solution to the conflict. REUTERS

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