Brazilian Lula is cold to German Scholz’s support for Ukraine

BRAZIL, 30 january (Reuters) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday Moscow had made a mistake by invading Ukraine, but stopped short of condemning the Russian attack along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

It was the third time Scholz toured South America. Ukraine failed to garner strong support for the war effort.

“I think, Russia by occupying the territory of another country, it made a classic mistake, therefore Russia is wrong,” Lula told reporters.

“But I still think that when one doesn’t fight, two won’t. “You should want peace,” he said way He added that he had heard very little from either side about ending the war.

Lula said Brazil would not supply Ukraine with ammunition for German-made Gepard anti-aircraft weapons, as Germany had requested.

However, a joint statement issued later by the two governments said that they were “Russia’s of Ukraine strongly condemn the violation of territorial integrity and the annexation of a part of their territory as a gross violation of international law.”

During Scholz’s visits to Ukraine, the leaders of Argentina and Chile dashed hopes that Germany could offer more support to Ukraine and underscored the ongoing rift between the West and its allies in low-income countries.

Scholz on his visit trip tried to emphasize the unity by noting that all three countries – Argentina, Chile and Brazil – condemned Russia’s invasion in the United Nations General Assembly last year.

Unlike Lula, the presidents of Argentina and Chile at least publicly condemned the Russian invasion.

Lula said Brazil would work with other countries to help bring peace to Ukraine, as his country did not take sides.

He said China would play an important role in the peace talks, which he would discuss during a planned visit to Beijing in March.

Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Sarah Marsh; Written by Anthony Boadle; Edited by Lincoln Holiday.

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2023-01-31 05:14:47
Source – reuters

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