Brazil’s Lula shrugs Germany’s Scholz over Ukraine’s support

BRASILIA: Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday (January 30) that Russia had made a mistake in invading Ukraine, but at a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: He avoided blaming Russia for the attack.

It was the third time on his tour of South America that Scholz had failed to garner strong support for the Ukrainian war effort.

“I think Russia made the classic mistake of invading another country’s territory, so Russia is wrong,” Lula told reporters.

“But I still believe that if one doesn’t fight, neither will. We must want peace.”

Lula said Brazil would not supply Ukraine with ammunition for German-made Gepard anti-aircraft guns, as reportedly requested by Germany.

However, a joint statement issued later by the two governments said they “strongly deplore Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and annexation of parts of its territory as a grave violation of international law.”

Argentinian and Chilean leaders shattered German hopes that Germany might provide more aid to Ukraine during Scholz’s visit to the country, prompting ties with Western and low-income allies. highlighted the ongoing differences between them.

Scholz emphasized solidarity during his visit, noting that at last year’s UN General Assembly, Argentina, Chile and Brazil all three countries condemned Russia’s aggression.

In contrast to Lula, the presidents of Argentina and Chile at least explicitly condemned Russian aggression.

Lula said Brazil is working with other countries to achieve peace in Ukraine.

He said China has an important role to play in the peace talks and plans to visit Beijing in March.