Macron attempts to influence Brazilian leader’s stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine

Earlier, Brazilian president positioned his country as a neutral one that can maintain ties with both Russia and Ukraine.

On the other hand, Lula wants Macron to end his opposition to the EU's free trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur.

French officials say Macron views Brazil as a "key player" among developing countries. This is due to the fact that Brazil presides over the G20, which includes most of the world's largest economies.

According to officials, Macron is betting that his differences with Lula over Russia's invasion of Ukraine can be reduced, although Brazil believes that "both sides are to blame for this war."

Bloomberg writes that Lula has repeatedly refused to supply weapons to Ukraine, arguing that the US and EU strategy undermines the prospect of ending the war with a peacetalks.

In December 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a stop in Brazil during his trip to Argentina for the inauguration of Javier Milei and requested a meeting with Brazilian President, to which Silva refused.