Lula Calls for Putin and Zelensky to End War

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war in eastern Ukraine. In a statement released on Tuesday, Lula said that “someone needs to talk to Putin and Zelensky” about ending the conflict. He also urged world leaders to take action against what he described as “the senseless violence” in the region. The conflict between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. The United Nations estimates that more than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far. Lula said that it was time for world leaders to come together and find a peaceful solution to the crisis. He added that Brazil should play an active role in helping to bring peace to Ukraine, noting that Brazil had always supported efforts towards peace and dialogue throughout its history. Lula's call comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine following recent clashes along their shared border. Last week, Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian vessels near Crimea, prompting international condemnation from countries including the United States and France. Despite these developments, both sides have expressed their willingness to pursue diplomatic solutions rather than military ones. On Monday, Putin said he was ready for talks with Zelensky but warned against any attempts by Kiev or its allies “to use force against us”. It remains unclear if Lula's call will be heeded by either side or if it will lead to any tangible progress towards ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, his words serve as a reminder of how important it is for world leaders to work together towards finding peaceful solutions instead of resorting to violence or aggression when dealing with international disputes such as this one.