By Peter Omopo
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has asked United States President Donald Trump to restrict the scope of his proposed “Board of Peace” to the Gaza conflict, setting clear conditions for Brazil’s possible participation.
The request was made during a telephone conversation between the two leaders on Monday, according to a statement from the Brazilian presidency. During the call, both presidents also agreed in principle on a meeting in Washington.
Lula, who was invited to join Trump’s controversial global conflict resolution initiative, proposed that the body should focus exclusively on Gaza and include representation for Palestine. He further used the opportunity to renew calls for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
The Brazilian leader has been openly critical of the initiative. On Friday, Lula accused Trump of attempting to create “a new UN where only he is the owner” through the proposed Board of Peace.
Although the initiative was initially presented as a mechanism to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, its charter does not explicitly limit its mandate to the Palestinian territory and appears to position it as a rival to the United Nations. The proposal has drawn skepticism from several US allies, including France and Britain.
Despite earlier tensions, relations between Washington and Brasília have improved in recent months. Lula and Trump have held several discussions since their first official meeting in October, which marked a thaw after a prolonged period of diplomatic strain.
As part of the improved ties, the Trump administration exempted key Brazilian exports from a 40 per cent tariff previously imposed on the country and lifted sanctions on a senior Brazilian judge.
The two leaders also discussed developments in Venezuela, with Lula calling for peace and stability in the region. Earlier this month, the Brazilian president criticised a US attack aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, describing it as crossing “an unacceptable line.”
The Brazilian presidency said the phone conversation lasted about 50 minutes, during which both leaders agreed that Lula would visit Washington after his scheduled trips to India and South Korea in February. A date for the visit is expected to be announced soon.
In recent days, Lula has also held telephone discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements on global issues.
