Former Brazil President Lula: "Zelensky is as responsible for the war as Putin"

In an Interview with Time Magazine: "We Should Have Negotiated with Putin to Prevent Conflict"
"It's Not Only Putin's Responsibility; the US and EU Are Equally Responsible," He Claims

Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Former President of Brazil
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil and a leading candidate for the next presidential election, claimed that both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders share equal responsibility for the outbreak of the Ukraine war.

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 4th (local time), former President Lula said in an interview with the US magazine Time, "(Volodymyr Zelensky) the Ukrainian president appears on television, gives speeches, receives applause, and is given standing ovations by lawmakers," adding, "He is as responsible for the war as President Vladimir Putin."

Regarding Zelensky’s emergence as a symbol of courage and resilience by appealing for support and solidarity for Ukraine through various media, Lula criticized, "He may be a great comedian, but one should not start a war just to appear on TV. Serious dialogue is necessary."

Former President Lula argued that Zelensky should have conceded to Russia, which opposes Ukraine’s pursuit of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and negotiated with President Putin to avoid the conflict.

He continued with sharp remarks about the West’s stance on the war. He said that Western leaders praising President Zelensky is an irresponsible act that fuels the war instead of focusing on confidential negotiations to stop it.

He also claimed that Western countries did not make sufficient efforts to engage in dialogue with Russia before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February this year.

Former President Lula said, "Given the significant political influence of the United States, President Joe Biden could have prevented the war rather than inciting it," adding, "President Biden could have flown to Russia and talked with President Putin."

He suggested that if the United States and the European Union (EU) had stated that Ukraine would not join NATO, Russia’s invasion might have been avoided, saying, "President Putin should not have invaded Ukraine. However, this is not solely Putin’s responsibility; the United States and the EU share equal responsibility."

Former President Lula served as Brazil’s first left-leaning president from 2003 to 2010 but was sentenced to prison on corruption charges. He was recently acquitted by the Supreme Court and has resumed political activities.

Ahead of the Brazilian presidential election in October, he is currently leading in opinion polls, surpassing the far-right incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro, who is seeking re-election.