"Zelensky Is An Adult, He Knows what He's Doing", Says Lula

Brazilian president says he set up a meeting with Ukraine's leader, but he didn't show up

São Paulo

In a meeting with journalists in Hiroshima, Japan, about to return to Brazil after participating as a guest in the G7 summit, President Lula stated that the reason why he did not meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelensky, was because he "did not show up" at the scheduled meeting time.

"Whether he had another, more serious problem, a more important meeting, I don't know. The concrete fact is that a meeting with Zelenski was scheduled here in this room at 3h15 pm," stated Lula.

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN, 21-5-2023 - 'Zelensky is an adult, he knows what he's doing', says Lula about leader's absence at G7 meeting (Foto: Ricardo Stuckert/PR/Divulgação )

"We waited, we got word that they were late, and in the meantime, I met with [the leader] from Vietnam. He left, and Ukraine didn't show up. That's just what happened."

"I would like to meet with him and discuss the matter," said the Brazilian leader, referring to his proposed mediation of peace in the war between Moscow and Kyiv.

"But look, Zelenski is an adult, he knows what he's doing", continued Lula, adding that, although the meeting has not taken place now, there will be other opportunities.

He said his position remains the same: in favor of a ceasefire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Translated by Cassy Dias

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