Brazil Pres Lula Condemns Violation Of Ukrainian Territorial Integrity

Comments from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hitting wires stating that his government, "condemns the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine."

• Lula says he, "advocates for a negotiated solution," to the conflict, adding that "a group of countries" need to "sit down with Russia and Ukraine to negotiate."
• Lula's comments come after he was criticised by Western officials for appearing to apportion some blame for the war to the United States.
• Lula was further criticised for advocating a resolution to the war which tracked closely to one proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, widely seen in the West as ratifying territorial gains of Russia and marginalising Ukraine's position in negotiations.
• Kyiv responded to Lula's comments today by inviting the Brazilian president to visit Ukraine. Kyiv extended a similar message to Beijing and accused President Xi of declining to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Lula's more overt statement of support for Kyiv may slightly reduce concerns in Western capitals that Lula will push for closer ties with Russia and China, fellow members of BRICS who have often advocated for similar visions of a multipolar global power structure.