Lula at UN Promotes Brazil-China Initiative for Ukraine-Russia Talks, According to Reuters

UNITED NATIONS – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proposed a plan for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine aimed at ending their ongoing conflict, though this initiative has already been dismissed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

During his speech at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, Lula acknowledged having discussed the plan with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he did not disclose specific details about the six-point outline. His foreign policy adviser, Celso Amorim, is scheduled to seek backing for the proposal from representatives of 20 nations in New York on Friday, according to Brazilian diplomatic sources.

Zelenskiy has deemed the proposal "destructive" and maintains that his own summit initiative remains the sole viable pathway to peace. Lula’s initiative, revealed in May following Amorim’s trip to Beijing, emphasizes de-escalation and a return to direct dialogue without mandating a withdrawal of Russian forces.

The upcoming meeting will include representatives from countries in the Global South but will exclude European nations that strongly support Ukraine. Invited states comprise Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

A Brazilian official stated that the aim is to gather insights from these countries, build a coalition, and review the plan’s points. "Many countries want to listen, including the Europeans," the official added.

In his address, Lula also raised concerns about the escalating conflict in Gaza, noting its dangerous spillover into Lebanon and reiterating calls for a ceasefire. He criticized the transformation of the right to defense into a right to revenge, which he claimed hinders progress on hostage negotiations and prolongs the possibility of ceasefire.

Lula reiterated Brazil’s call for reforming the United Nations, arguing that the organization is failing to adequately represent global interests and to halt wars. He condemned the vast sums allocated annually to military expenditures, suggesting that these resources should instead be diverted to combat poverty and address climate change.

Additionally, Lula called for an overhaul of the U.N. charter to enhance the role of the General Assembly in promoting peace and reforming the multilateral institution. He denounced the lack of permanent representation for Latin America and Africa on the U.N. Security Council as an unacceptable vestige of colonial history.