Lula urges UN to take lead role in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday called on the United Nations to assemble a group of countries tasked with seeking a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The initiative, which Lula made at a news conference during a visit to France, comes after French President Emmanuel Macron this week said Brazil had "a very important role to play" in the resolution of the conflict.

A second round of direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine opened this week in Istanbul. In contrast to most European countries, Lula maintains friendly relations with Moscow and has observed a position of neutrality towards the conflict.