Lula and Putin focus on BRICS cooperation, Ukraine peace forward of US–Russia talks

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday for about 40 minutes, the presidential palace in Brasília mentioned, including that Putin briefed him on talks with america and “current peace efforts” associated to the battle in Ukraine.

In response to the assertion, the 2 leaders additionally mentioned cooperation inside the BRICS bloc of rising economies and reviewed the present worldwide political and financial state of affairs.

The dialog with Lula is the most recent of a flurry of calls between Putin and overseas leaders in current days forward of the Russian president’s anticipated assembly with US President Donald Trump subsequent week.

Putin spoke to the leaders of China and India, each additionally a part of the BRICS group of growing nations, and different presidents from Central Asia and Europe on Friday to temporary them on his contacts with america in regards to the battle in Ukraine.

Lula has been in a public spat with Trump because the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on the imports of Brazilian items, which Trump linked to an alleged ”witch hunt” towards his ally and Brazil’s former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. U.S. imports of some Brazilian merchandise, similar to orange juice and plane, obtained a decrease charge.

Lula advised Reuters on Wednesday he deliberate to name the leaders of the BRICS nations, which additionally embody South Africa, to debate a joint response to Trump’s tariffs on U.S. imports. The Brazilian chief spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Trump has threatened BRICS nations with extra 10% tariffs final month, because the group gathered in a summit in Rio de Janeiro in July.

With inputs from companies