Brazilian President Lula criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday.
Madrid:
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday criticized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but said no one is talking about peace in what he called an “insane war.”
On a visit to Spain, Lula said he is determined to find a peace formula to end the conflict.
“I understand the European view on this war. It is unacceptable for one country to invade another, but it is a war where I don’t see anyone talking about peace,” he said in a speech at a business conference.
Lula angered many in the West this month when he called on US and European allies to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, saying they were prolonging the war.
After the resistance, the Brazilian leader tempered his remarks and during a visit to Portugal and Spain, he condemned Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
In Spain, Lula again called for increased peace efforts “so that Ukraine can keep its territory”, reversing a recent suggestion that the invaded country should make concessions to end the war and that Russia should return territory recently invaded, but Crimea would can keep.
Lula spoke of investments by Spanish companies in Brazil, citing a major infrastructure program to be launched in May that will be “promising” for Spanish companies.
“We want to attract a new wave of Spanish investment,” he told the corporate audience.
A senior Spanish government official said his country’s companies are expected to have better access to public procurement in Brazil after Lula’s visit to Madrid.
Brazil and other members of the Mercosur trade bloc are discussing concluding a trade deal with the European Union that he hopes will take place before the end of the year, Lula said.
“We want a balanced agreement that will contribute to the reindustrialization of Brazil,” he said, reinforcing his view of his country’s need for technology and not just imported manufactured goods.
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