Calls His Attitude Not Wanting To Fun Anyone Regarding Conflict In Ukraine, Brazilian President Lula: I Want To Find A Third Alternative

President of Brazil Lula. (Wikimedia Commons/Marcelo Freixo)

JAKARTA - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he did not want to "make anyone happy" with his views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, after he sparked criticism in the West for declaring Kyiv was responsible for the war.

Speaking in Lisbon on Saturday at the start of his first visit to Europe since being elected president, Lula said the goal was to "build a way to bring the two (Russia and Ukraine) to the negotiating table."

"I want to find a third alternative (to resolve the conflict), namely peace development," he told a news conference.

Earlier, President Lula had been criticized in the West for saying Ukraine and Russia were to blame for the conflict that began when Moscow invaded its neighbor in February 2022.

Last week, he said the United States and European allies should stop supplying weapons to Ukraine, saying it would only prolong the war.

"If you don't create peace, you contribute to war," said President Lula.

Meanwhile, the White House accused President Lula of "reducing" Russian and Chinese propaganda.

It is known that President Lula arrived in Portugal on Friday for a five-day visit, in his bid to improve foreign relations.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who accompanied Lula in a press conference, said the two countries' attitudes towards the war were different.

Portugal is a member of NATO founder and has delivered military equipment to Ukraine. President Rebelo de Sousa said Ukraine has the right to defend itself and "repair" its territory.

President Lula's comments about the war have angered the Ukrainian community in Portugal, where a demonstration was held outside the Brazilian embassy on Friday.

Earlier on Saturday, President Lula attended a welcoming ceremony outside the Jermimos Lisbon Monastery. Two Ukrainian supporters carrying flags and a sign were not allowed to stand near the ceremonial area, as police officers said they did not ask permission to protest.