Brazil’s Lula Criticizes UN and Multilateral Institutions Over Gaza Conflict
Lula questions the effectiveness of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions in addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
KUALA LUMPUR: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed criticism on Saturday towards the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral institutions, asserting that they have ceased to function effectively.
His comments came during a meeting with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in preparation for an upcoming regional summit where Lula is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.
Lula addressed reporters after their bilateral meeting, emphasizing the need to address the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip.
He questioned the willingness of global leaders to accept the ongoing genocide there, and highlighted the inadequacy of current multilateral efforts to prevent such conflicts.
Lula specifically mentioned that both the UN Security Council and the broader UN have lost their functionality in preventing or resolving crises.
His statements also seemed to indirectly critique US President Donald Trump, suggesting that true leadership cannot be measured by accolades like a Nobel Prize.
Instead, Lula emphasized the importance of maintaining one’s dignity as a leader.
This commentary follows Trump's recent travel to Asia for diplomatic meetings with key leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Additionally, there has been a thawing in relations between Lula and Trump after a period of tension, primarily related to the legal proceedings involving Lula's predecessor, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The United States imposed economic sanctions on Brazil following what was described as a 'witch hunt' against Bolsonaro by Brazil's Supreme Court, which sentenced him to 27 years in prison for his role in attempting a coup after his electoral defeat in 2022.
Despite these tensions, Lula and Trump have been engaging in diplomatic overtures.
They had a brief meeting at the UN General Assembly in September and subsequently spoke by phone on October 6, leading to discussions about a potential meeting at the ASEAN summit.
His comments came during a meeting with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in preparation for an upcoming regional summit where Lula is expected to meet US President Donald Trump.
Lula addressed reporters after their bilateral meeting, emphasizing the need to address the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip.
He questioned the willingness of global leaders to accept the ongoing genocide there, and highlighted the inadequacy of current multilateral efforts to prevent such conflicts.
Lula specifically mentioned that both the UN Security Council and the broader UN have lost their functionality in preventing or resolving crises.
His statements also seemed to indirectly critique US President Donald Trump, suggesting that true leadership cannot be measured by accolades like a Nobel Prize.
Instead, Lula emphasized the importance of maintaining one’s dignity as a leader.
This commentary follows Trump's recent travel to Asia for diplomatic meetings with key leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Additionally, there has been a thawing in relations between Lula and Trump after a period of tension, primarily related to the legal proceedings involving Lula's predecessor, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The United States imposed economic sanctions on Brazil following what was described as a 'witch hunt' against Bolsonaro by Brazil's Supreme Court, which sentenced him to 27 years in prison for his role in attempting a coup after his electoral defeat in 2022.
Despite these tensions, Lula and Trump have been engaging in diplomatic overtures.
They had a brief meeting at the UN General Assembly in September and subsequently spoke by phone on October 6, leading to discussions about a potential meeting at the ASEAN summit.
