President of Brazil seeks to persuade Putin to negotiate with Zelenskyy in Türkiye

The President of Brazil made this statement at a press conference in China on Wednesday, May 14, before a scheduled stop in Moscow on his way back to Brazil.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promised that he "will try to talk to Putin."

"It costs me nothing to say to him: 'Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate, for God's sake,'" he said.

It is worth adding that China and Brazil published a joint statement in which they welcomed the proposal of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to start direct negotiations with Ukraine. In the statement, both countries also called direct dialogue "the only way to end the conflict."

It should also be noted that on the eve, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha called on Brazil to "use its voice" and influence Putin to conduct direct negotiations with Zelenskyy in Türkiye.

Possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin proposed to resume direct negotiations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. His proposal came against the background of the ultimatum from Ukraine’s allies regarding a ceasefire.

In response, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he wants direct negotiations between himself and Putin. Zelenskyy will travel to Türkiye on May 15 and called on the Russian dictator to attend the meeting.

However, so far, Putin has not responded to whether he will go to Türkiye, but in Ukraine and Europe, such a possibility is viewed with skepticism. US President Donald Trump admitted that he might also fly to Türkiye.

According to media reports, US presidential special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg will travel to Türkiye.