Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defined the initiative of China and Brazil for peace in Ukraine as "destructive" and expressed indignation that Kiev was not consulted, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
In May, China and Brazil called for a peace conference that would include equal participation by all sides in the conflict and be accepted by Russia and Ukraine. They described it as a fair way to discuss peace plans.
"The proposal by China and Brazil is just a political statement, not a real initiative," said Zelensky in an interview with the Brazilian media "Metropolis". "How can you propose an initiative without seeking the opinion of Ukraine?"
In a published video of the interview, Zelensky added that the proposals show a lack of respect for Ukraine's territorial integrity and that Russian President Vladimir Putin must take real steps to end the conflict.
The Ukrainian leader said he is ready to discuss peace proposals with China and Brazil.
In June, Reuters reported that China tried to attract developing countries to its initiative ahead of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland. Putin, for his part, backed the Chinese proposals in May and offered to mediate China, Brazil and India in potential peace talks.
Zelensky, for his part, emphasized that any peace solution must include the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, a return to the 1991 borders and holding Russia accountable for its actions. He added that for him the position of the Brazilian government is "more pro-Russian".