The Brazilian president is serious

As journalists managed to find out, da Silva left for Russia after the conclusion of the regional forum in China.

He confirmed that he would do everything possible to facilitate a meeting between Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.

I'll try to talk to Putin. It costs me nothing to say, ‘hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate, dammit!

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

President of Brazil

Da Silva's loud statement came after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called on Brazil to use its influence on Russia and ensure that the meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy eventually takes place.

Against this backdrop, Brazil and China issued a joint statement insisting on direct negotiations as the "only way" to end the war.

What is important to understand is that the negotiations, which are scheduled to take place on May 15 in Istanbul, may be the first direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation since 2022.