Submit your Article

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey.

Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Lula stated that he intends to stop in Moscow and encourage Putin to join the meetings in Istanbul on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.

The talks would be the first direct encounter between Kiev and Moscow since 2022.

Lula's comments come after Ukraine requested that Brazil assist in mediating, as well as a joint statement from Brazil and China backing direct negotiations as the only way to peace, Al Jazeera reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a five-point cooperation plan to strengthen ties with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries at the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.

The roadmap includes initiatives on solidarity, development, cultural exchange, peace, and people-to-people connectivity. Xi pledged to link China's Belt and Road Initiative with LAC development objectives, boost imports of high-quality products, and stimulate Chinese investment in the region. He also expressed his support for multilateralism and the UN-centered world system, according to Xinhua.

China plans to grant 3,500 scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities, and expand visa-free entry to five LAC countries in order to strengthen educational and cultural ties. Cooperation in areas like cybersecurity, disaster response, and anti-corruption will be strengthened under the peace initiative.

Leaders from Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay endorsed the plan, calling for enhanced economic, technological, and infrastructure cooperation, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to sovereignty, development, and global South solidarity, Xinhua reported.

The initiative aims to build a shared future for China and LAC nations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, reaffirming their countries strategic partnership and agreeing to deepen cooperation in multiple sectors.

Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the leaders emphasized advancing a “China-Brazil community with a shared future.” Xi advocated for coordinated development policies and increased collaboration in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, aerospace, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges in education, culture, and local government, according to Xinhua.

Xi addressed the need of reciprocal support for fundamental interests and urged greater international cooperation to uphold multilateralism, develop global governance, and resist protectionism and unilateralism.

President Lula assured Brazil's commitment to aligning its development program with China's Belt and Road Initiative. He stood for more collaboration in trade, finance, science, and technology. Lula also supported joint initiatives to elevate the voice of the Global South and promote fairness in global development, Xinhua reported.

The leaders witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation agreements in crucial areas such as agriculture, science, digital economy, and media. They also issued joint statements on bilateral cooperation, multilateralism, and the Ukraine crisis.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged member states to increase financing for peacekeeping missions, describing them as a crucial symbol of international collaboration, Xinhua reported.

He emphasized the need for more adaptable and resilient operations at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, as global conflicts and displacement continue to escalate. Guterres also paid respect to the 4,400 peacekeepers who lost their lives while on service.

"We are now facing the highest number of conflicts since the foundation of the United Nations, and record numbers of people fleeing across borders in search of safety and refuge," Guterres said as stated by Xinhua.

The two-day forum gathered representatives from around 130 countries to shape the future of UN peacekeeping.