Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's visit to Moscow to attend Russia's Victory Day parade alongside leaders like Vladimir Putin, Nicolás Maduro, and Xi Jinping, has sparked controversy. The timing, amidst a domestic corruption scandal and the ongoing war in Ukraine, has raised questions about Lula's priorities and Brazil's international stance.
While the Brazilian government emphasizes the longstanding diplomatic relations between Brazil and Russia and their significant trade ties, critics question Lula's alignment with authoritarian regimes. His attendance alongside these leaders, while other BRICS nations like India and South Africa remained absent, casts doubt on Brazil's professed neutrality.
Lula's previous attempts at mediating the Ukraine conflict, coupled with his recent Moscow visit, where he only met with Putin, have drawn criticism. His previous statements criticizing the US for solely negotiating with Putin have been contrasted with his current actions. This has led to concerns regarding Brazil's international reputation, particularly its association with democracy.
Lula's meeting with Putin is expected to focus on the war in Ukraine, with the president hoping to showcase some results regarding conflict resolution. However, experts predict an 'uneasy' situation following his visit, as Lula’s actions may impact Brazil’s international perception and its association with democratic values.