Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday criticized Brazilian President Lula da Silva’s stance on the war in Ukraine. “Sometimes we hear contradictions in the messages of President Lula da Silva, at the BRICS summit in South Africa, who said he refused unilateral forms of peace. Lula must realize that the war is in Ukraine, not in Russia, in Brazil, in the US. They are neither Brazilians nor Americans nor other Europeans, they are Ukrainians, hundreds of people die and are injured every day. We don’t want a war in Brazil or any other country. It is a country that suffers, it is not a one-sided position,” he said in an interview with RTP.

Referring to the countries of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Zelensky indicated that he mainly needs their support – ‘I really want Brazil to be with us’ – and he has help for that: ‘We have to work harder and here Portugal can help us,” he said.

The Ukrainian president also highlighted the charisma and kindness of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during his recent visit to Ukraine: “It was important for Ukraine, we are grateful not only for the military support, but also for the fact that Portugal has more than 50,000 people welcome. Ukrainians, is important”.

Withdrawn Russian troops

“We need 160 fighter jets so as not to give Russia the opportunity to dominate the skies. And we only need it to defend ourselves. I think the F16 will fight early next year,” explained the Ukrainian president, who confirmed the many dead and wounded on the front lines of the war, in the east of the country.

Zelensky also said that “the motivation of the Ukrainian armed forces is greater than that of the Russian armed forces. It is important that we have not lost that motivation,” which is essential for the conflict to unfold. they fight in Ukraine. Today survival is what motivates them the most, they are afraid of being killed”.

Regarding the peace process, the Ukrainian leader reiterated an idea he had said before: “Russia must leave our territory. And the murderers must be punished. The dialogue will only take place if Russia respects our territory and in real and practical steps.”

with Lusa