Lula Plans to Meet Zelensky at UN Event in New York

Brazil’s President, Lula, is talking with Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, for a possible meeting in New York.

They are both there for the 78th UN Assembly. Paulo Teixeira, Brazil’s Agricultural Development Minister, said Lula offered two time slots for this Sunday’s gathering.

The leaders could meet after Brazil’s traditional conference opening on Monday or Tuesday. Brazil is waiting for a reply from Ukraine.

Earlier, Lula and Zelensky spoke over the phone in March. During the G7 Summit in Japan, Lula said a planned face-to-face with Zelensky didn’t occur.

Zelensky wants Brazil to take a tougher stand against Russia in the Ukrainian war.

Last week, Lula said Brazilian courts would decide on arresting Russia’s Vladimir Putin if he visits Brazil in 2024.

This statement came before the G20 Summit set for Rio de Janeiro. Brazil could face penalties if it doesn’t detain Putin.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest orders for him in March.

Lula also mentioned Brazil might rethink its membership in the court. Besides the possible talk with Zelensky, Lula will meet U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Lula arrived in New York on Saturday night. He plans to go back to Brazil on Friday.

Arthur Lira and Rodrigo Pacheco, Brazil’s legislative heads, are part of Lula’s official team in the U.S.

Background

Lula’s support for Putin at the G20 put Brazil’s ICC ties in focus.

Legal experts say Brazil must honor its ICC commitments. The comments sparked talk of Brazil leaving the Rome Statute, which binds it to the ICC.

But many believe exiting the ICC would require changing Brazil’s Constitution, sparking long legal debates.

The Rome Statute became law in Brazil in 2002 and is part of its Constitution. Changing it would need approval from Congress and the Supreme Court.

Legal experts warn that leaving could conflict with Brazil’s commitment to global human rights. The move would need backing from 3/5 of both legislative chambers.

Some experts call the idea unrealistic and say it would require a new Constitution.