According to experts, the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenskiy, sought to embarrass and put pressure on the Brazilian government by insisting on a bilateral meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to discuss the conflict that his country is waging with Russia.
According to specialists interviewed by Folha de S.Paulo, the Ukrainian leader exploits the criticism made of the Lula government’s position on the war.
In a meeting with the press, Zelenski criticized what he called the PT’s lack of will and time to meet with him last month in Hiroshima, at the G7 summit. He also said that the disagreement that prevented the meeting in Japan was not Kiev’s fault, which contradicts statements made by Brasília.
“President Lula is running away from a meeting with Zelenski. And the insistence of the Ukrainian makes Brazil on the defensive and in an uncomfortable position to say neutral”, says Gunther Rudzit, specialist in ESPM
international security and professor of international relations at ESPM.
Rudzit also stated that the attempt to embarrass the Brazilian government is trying to force Brazil to take a firmer stand. The strategy is justified by the leadership exercised by Brazil over other countries in Latin America.
“Lula’s meeting with South American leaders shows Brazil’s weight in the region and, therefore, there is this dispute on both sides for Brazilian support. We cannot forget that Serguei Lavrov went to Brasilia in sports clothes, wanting to convey the image that he was among friends”, said Rudzit.
Regiane Bressan, professor of international relations at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), pointed out that the War in Ukraine occurs at a time when the countries of the so-called “Global South”, which have been trying to maintain neutrality, are more disputed by global powers. .
“The conflict takes place at a time when the poles of power in the world are being redirected. If before the influence was exerted by Russia and the USA, now China is playing an increasingly important role in Latin America, seeking greater influence in the region”, says Bressan.
Zelenski, however, said he was willing to listen to Lula’s proposals to end the war. In addition, Brasilia defends the creation of a “peace club” formed by countries not aligned with either side of the conflict to negotiate the end of the invasion.
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Source: https://www.diariodocentrodomundo.com.br/zelenski-tentou-constranger-governo-lula-em-entrevista-dizem-analistas/
