Lula is open to Trump’s ‘Board of Peace,’ but only if one major condition is met

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has agreed to visit Washington following a 50-minute phone call with President Donald Trump, a conversation that focused heavily on Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative. As reported by Al Jazeera, the call took place on Monday and marked a notable step forward in diplomatic engagement between the two leaders.

During the discussion, Lula signaled that Brazil would be open to participating in the Board of Peace, but only under strict conditions. He insisted that the body be limited exclusively to addressing the situation in Gaza and that it include a dedicated seat for Palestine, reflecting concerns about the scope and authority of the proposed initiative.

Lula also expressed skepticism about the broader intent behind the board, warning that it should not evolve into a rival to existing international institutions, echoing conversations happening elsewhere, such as in recent coverage of how Xi’s most-trusted general is now under investigation for alleged leaks to the U.S. The Brazilian leader reiterated his view that any peace mechanism must respect the role of the United Nations, while again calling for long-discussed reforms such as expanding the permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Support comes with strict limits

The two presidents also addressed regional issues, with Venezuela emerging as a major topic. According to a statement from the Brazilian government, Lula emphasized the importance of preserving peace and stability across the region, a point he has raised repeatedly in response to recent U.S. actions involving Venezuela.

Earlier this month, the United States removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power and transferred him to New York to face drug-trafficking charges, a move Lula previously criticized as crossing “an unacceptable line.” During the call, he urged Trump to prioritize the welfare of the Venezuelan people and avoid further destabilization in the region. This came amid broader U.S. political tensions, including discussions in Congress about federal agency accountability after recent high-profile incidents.

The conversation marked continued improvement in US-Brazil relations after a period of strain. Following their first official meeting in October, the Trump administration exempted key Brazilian exports from 40 percent tariffs and lifted sanctions on a prominent Brazilian judge, steps that helped ease tensions between the two governments.

Brazil has not confirmed a specific date for Lula’s visit to Washington, but officials said it would take place soon after he completes scheduled trips to India and South Korea in February.