Lula invites Putin to Brics Summit in Rio

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed on Saturday, 7, in Paris, that Vladimir Putin was formally invited to the BRICS summit, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and 7. The statement was made during a press conference to the international press, while Lula fulfills official agenda in France.

When questioned by a French journalist about the participation of Russian President Lula said Russia is one of the founding countries of the bloc and, for this reason, the invitation is maintained.

“Russia is a member of NATO of the BRICS. Therefore, President Vladimir Putin is invited. He can participate or not. He knows that he is convicted of an international court,” he said, referring to the arrest warrant issued against Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to Lula, it is up to the Russian leader to decide to attend to meet.

During the press conference, the Brazilian president also addressed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Lula said he understands the position of European leaders, but expects his posture to be considered as well.

“About the Ukraine War, I understand the warmth of European leaders. Now I want them to understand my behavior. I defend peace,” he said.

Lula stated that the foundations for a possible agreement between the two nations are already known and that the main obstacle to the resolution of the conflict is the absence of political initiative.

“Everyone knows what will happen. The conditions of the agreement between Russia and Ukraine are already placed. What is missing is courage,” he said.

The president also said he suggested to the French President Emmanuel Macron that the United Nations (UN) assumes a more active role in negotiations. “I proposed to President Emmanuel Macron that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, look for Putin and Zelensky in search of an agreement.”

For Lula, the solution will require mutual concessions. “No one will have everything they want. Each one will keep what is possible to achieve,” he said.

During the same speech, the Brazilian president approached the conflict in the Gaza Strip and equipped the severity of the situation to the war in Ukraine. “Now as serious as Ukraine is Gaza. We are saying a nation. Under the pretext of what?” He asked. Lula also stated: “Palestinian is not an inferior being.”

He raised doubts about the performance of Israel’s intelligence. “I also wonder how Israel’s intelligence has allowed Hamas to occur,” he said. According to Lula, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has factors that still need to be clarified.

Lula also defended more active international performance from Brazil. He stated that the country can no longer adopt a subordinate stance in foreign relations and intends to maintain diplomacy aimed at strengthening Brazilian sovereignty. “Brazil needs to stop being small. Our ambassadors need to think big. We are no less than anyone,” he said.

The president criticized previous gestures of Brazilian foreign policy and stated that the country should occupy the space that fits him in the global scenario. “The moment is over when Brazil was not taken into account. Brazil today is complied with. We are from South Global and we invite nothing to anyone.”

The confirmation of the BRICS summit in Brazil, with the possibility of participation of heads of state such as Vladimir Putin, occurs in the midst of an international scenario marked by armed conflicts, diplomatic tensions and debate on the representativeness of multilateral forums. Brazil’s position, according to Lula, will be mediation and search for negotiated solutions.

The BRICS meeting in July will bring together founding member countries-Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa-as well as new recent members such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The agenda should address topics such as trade, international financing, reform of multilateral institutions and south-south cooperation mechanisms.

Lula’s statement also occurs when the International Criminal Court maintains an arrest warrant against Putin for alleged war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children.

Brazil is a signatory to the Statute of Rome, which created the ICC, which would technically require the fulfillment of the warrant in the national territory. However, the Brazilian government has not yet indicated how it would act in the event of Putin’s eventual presence in the country during the event.

Lula’s position on international conflicts reaffirms the discourse adopted since the beginning of his third term, focusing on the valorization of peace, multilateralism and the diplomatic autonomy of Brazil.