Lula and Putin discuss Ukraine while Trump prepares for Alaska summit

In a global context marked by the war in Ukraine and international tensions, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a phone call lasting approximately 40 minutes with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Planalto Palace, the conversation primarily addressed the situation in Ukraine, cooperation within the BRICS group, and the current political and economic challenges they face.

Lula, who has maintained a neutral stance regarding the Russian invasion, reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to dialogue and the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict, a position distinguished by the avoidance of direct condemnations or strong diplomatic confrontations with Moscow.

The call between Lula and Putin comes just ahead of the highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. Trump, who has promised to end the war in Ukraine soon, is seeking to advance negotiations that could include territorial exchanges to reach an agreement, although the details remain unclear.

Meanwhile, Lula insists that any solution must involve Ukraine and respect its sovereignty, although he has not maintained direct communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, drawing criticism from the international community and kyiv.

During the conversation, Lula and Putin also discussed cooperation within the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with the aim of strengthening alliances in the face of changes in the global economic landscape.

Trump recently imposed significant tariffs on Brazil and India as part of his trade strategy, further straining relations and affecting exports, especially of products like Brazilian coffee, which now faces a 50% tariff. Lula has stated that he will defend Brazil's sovereignty against these measures, which affect key sectors of its economy.

Since assuming his third term, Lula has opted for a policy of balance, refusing to condemn the Russian invasion and avoiding direct rapprochement with Zelensky. This stance seeks to keep avenues for dialogue open, without openly taking sides in the conflict, an approach that generates controversy but also reflects the complexity of current international relations.

The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska will be a crucial moment to assess whether global powers can reconcile their positions and move toward lasting peace. Meanwhile, Brazil reaffirms its support for diplomacy and negotiation, highlighting the importance of an agreement that includes all parties involved.