Biden and Lula project unity on democratic values and climate change

After Donald Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro’s turbulent presidency came to an end, President Joe Biden met with Brazilian leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday to reestablish relations between the two greatest democracies in the hemisphere.

According to a joint statement provided by Brazil, while the two leaders discussed shared ideals in combating climate change and defending democracy against a rise in authoritarianism, Washington pledged to cooperate to establish a fund to safeguard the Amazon rainforest and Biden agreed to visit Brazil.

Before the two leaders met in the Oval Office in private, Biden told Lula, “We have to continue to stand up for democracy and our democratic ideals that form the basis of our strength.” He said that the two were “on the same page” regarding the “climate problem.”

During the far-right leader’s president, Brazil’s diplomatic ties with other longtime allies chilled, despite Bolsonaro’s loud support from former Republican U.S. President Trump.

Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost to Lula in the Oct. 30 runoff election, boarded a flight to Florida two days before his term came to an end on Jan. 1. He had challenged the outcome of the election. Days later, a violent mob of Bolsonaro supporters attacked the Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential mansion in Brazil.

Lula claimed at the White House that Brazil “self-marginalized itself for four years” under the previous administration without specifically mentioning Bolsonaro.

Biden laughed and replied, “Sounds familiar,” as Lula claimed that his world had “started and concluded with bogus news in the morning, afternoon, and at night.”

The attacks by Bolsonaro supporters last month and the one it echoed at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, that sought to prevent the certification of Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 presidential election should never be tolerated again, according to Lula, who noted that Brazil was attempting to reposition itself in the international community.

According to Lula, the two leaders might cooperate to fight inequality and climate change.

Despite the goodwill, it was not anticipated that the leaders would reach a consensus over the conflict in Ukraine due to Brazil’s neutrality. A global alliance under Biden has been formed to punish Russia for annexing Ukraine.

The joint statement states that they “deplored the breach of Ukraine’s territorial integrity by Russia and the annexation of sections of its territory as egregious violations of international law and urged for a just and permanent peace.”

Lula said he discussed this position with Biden and that he felt Biden shared his desire to put an end to the war. He wants to see a negotiated discussion of peace with the participation of more neutral international players.

The Brazilian president also justified his choice to refuse to provide Germany the artillery munitions it requested in exchange for Western backing for Ukraine’s defense. “If I provided the ammo, I would be taking sides in the conflict. I’m not interested in fighting. I desire peace “He previously stated on CNN.

According to the joint statement, Biden and Lula did promise to collaborate on the UN Security Council’s reform to include “permanent seats for countries in Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Following a meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders and other members of the Biden Democratic Party, Lula paid a visit to the White House.