Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva engaged in a substantial and fruitful conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing crucial strategies to achieve a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, took place in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Expressing the significance of constructive paths to building peace, President Lula conveyed his optimism following the meeting, posting on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). He emphasized the commitment between Brazil and Ukraine to maintain an open dialogue, highlighting the importance of continued communication between their nations.

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira also affirmed the cooperative atmosphere of the meeting, noting that discussions would continue to strengthen bilateral ties. Brazil's willingness to engage with both sides involved in the conflict was evident. Lula has consistently advocated for the establishment of a group of nations to mediate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. Although the Brazilian leader previously suggested that both Moscow and Kyiv bear responsibility for the conflict, he expressed condemnation for the territorial invasion of countries.

This stance drew criticism from the United States and European states supporting Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion. In an effort to further pursue peace, President Zelensky confirmed that he and Lula instructed their diplomatic teams to collaborate on the next steps in improving bilateral relations and advancing peace efforts. The meeting between Zelensky and Lula was eagerly anticipated, with the Ukrainian government initiating the request after the two leaders failed to connect at the G7 summit earlier this year in Hiroshima, Japan. President Lula's proactive approach to international diplomacy was evident as he also met with US President Joe Biden on the same day. Demonstrating Brazil's commitment to playing an active role on the global stage, Lula's engagements aim to foster cooperation and stability between nations.