Brazil pushes to end Russia-Ukraine war

By Bala Chambers

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Brazil's foreign minister reiterated his country’s call for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine as he met Monday with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

During their meeting, Mauro Vieira also called for “respect for humanitarian law and a negotiated solution with a view to a lasting peace that addresses the concerns of both sides.”

He also said that Brazil can help set up a group of "neutral nations" to mediate in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to Brazilian state news agency Agencia Brasil.

Lavrov thanked Brazil for its efforts to negotiate an end to the war and said the Russian government is interested in resolving the conflict as quickly as possible.

He made the comments while meeting with Vieira at Itamaraty Palace in the capital Brasilia.

Vieira also criticized the unilateral sanctions imposed on Russia, noting their negative impact on economies worldwide, particularly on developing countries that have not yet recovered from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Russia-Ukraine war is now in its second year, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been seeking a peaceful end to the conflict, advocating that the European Union and other nations push for peace talks, according to Agencia Brasil.

Lavrov arrived in Brasilia early Monday. The meeting was the second occasion in which the two ministers have held bilateral talks.

Russia is also the South American nation's main supplier of fertilizers, which play a driving role in Brazil's agribusiness.

In 2022, Russia became Brazil's 13th largest trading partner, according to Agencia Brasil.