In Europe, Lula contradicts himself when talking about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia

In a press conference given this Saturday morning (22) in Portugal, where he has his agenda, President Lula (PT) contradicted himself when talking about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The PT has been the target of a series of criticisms on the European continent for statements made last week when he claimed that Ukraine was co-responsible for the decision to start the war with Russia.

In a change of position, Lula said this morning that he has never equalized the responsibilities of the two countries in the conflict. Despite this, the PT said that neither Russia nor Ukraine want to end the war. Lula also maintained the discourse that Brazil remains neutral, without supporting any of the countries, and returned to talk about his idea of ​​creating a group of countries – which would involve Brazil and China, an ally of Russia – to discuss a permanent ceasefire.

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who gave an interview alongside Lula, was more direct in directly blaming Russia for the war.

Lula’s speeches about the conflict created tension with Europeans

Since before taking office, the Brazilian president has been collecting controversial statements about the conflict, with the repetition of false information originating from Russian propaganda aimed at blaming Ukraine (invaded country) for the war started by Moscow in February 2022.

In an interview with an American magazine last year, the PT member stated that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was as responsible for the conflict as the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. While avoiding direct criticism of Russia, Lula also questioned the United States, the European Union and the UN on the grounds that they were contributing to prolonging the war.

Last Tuesday (18), Pavlo Sadokha, representative of the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal – an entity that delivered a letter of protest to Lula this Friday (21) due to his statements about the conflict – published a message on social networks criticism of the position of the Brazilian president, in which he stated that Lula’s statement demonstrates clear support for totalitarian regimes, such as Russia and China.

agenda in europe

This Saturday, Lula will participate in the 13th meeting of the Brazil-Portugal Summit bilateral summit, in which agreements between the countries should be signed, such as the equivalence of diplomas at the primary and secondary levels and the recognition of driver’s licenses. Still in Portuguese lands, the PT member will participate in a Business Forum in Matosinho, in the north of Portugal, with businessmen from both countries, and will make a speech in the country’s Parliament. In Spain, where he will go on Tuesday (25), the Brazilian president should participate in a business forum and meet with the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez. Lula’s return to Brazil is scheduled for Wednesday (26).