On May 14, 2025, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in direct peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul. This appeal comes as international efforts intensify to end Russia’s three-year-long invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Lula emphasized the importance of direct dialogue between the conflicting parties. He stated, “It costs me nothing to say, ‘Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate, dammit.'” Lula is expected to visit Moscow following his trip to China, aiming to personally encourage Putin’s participation in the talks.

The proposed negotiations in Istanbul, scheduled for May 15, would mark the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv since 2022. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has confirmed his attendance and challenged Putin to join, asserting that Putin’s presence would demonstrate Russia’s commitment to ending the war. Zelenskyy also proposed a 30-day ceasefire as a starting point for discussions.

Despite these developments, the Kremlin has remained noncommittal about Putin’s attendance. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the composition of the Russian delegation would be disclosed once President Putin provides the necessary instructions.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, currently touring the Middle East, has indicated a “possibility” of attending the talks if Putin also participates. Trump mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is already scheduled to travel to Istanbul on May 16.

The international community, including leaders from the U.S., France, Germany, and China, has expressed support for the Istanbul talks. European leaders have warned of increased sanctions on Russia should the negotiations fail to yield progress.

As the world watches closely, Lula’s diplomatic efforts underscore Brazil’s commitment to facilitating peace and its role as a mediator in global conflicts.

Source; Al Jazeera