Brazilian president discusses Istanbul talks with Putin: What Lula asks for
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Getty Images)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He urged Putin to join the peace talks set to take place in Istanbul this week, Reuters reports.
Lula da Silva held a phone conversation today with the Russian President and urged him to take part in talks with Ukraine, scheduled to take place tomorrow in Istanbul.
In a statement from Lula’s office, the Brazilian president "emphasized Brazil's commitment to peace and once again made himself available to collaborate in whatever way necessary in the search for understanding between Russia and Ukraine."
Earlier today, RBC-Ukraine reported that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had promised to persuade the Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in talks with Ukraine, but he ultimately did not meet with Putin during his visit to Moscow.
Later, Russian media began reporting that da Silva had spoken to Putin by phone during his stop in Moscow.
Talks in Istanbul
On the night of May 11, Putin proposed holding direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul starting on May 15.
This was his response to Ukraine’s and Europe’s ultimatum regarding a ceasefire. In turn, European partners warned the Kremlin that if it refused to halt hostilities, Russia would face new and tougher sanctions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready for dialogue only after a complete ceasefire.
However, he later confirmed his readiness to personally meet with Putin on May 15 in Türkiye.
It was recently reported that US President Donald Trump is also considering traveling to Istanbul to take part in the high-level talks, should they take place.
For everything currently known about the potential negotiations in Türkiye, read RBC-Ukraine’s full report.
