Brazil's President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva has fired back at US President Donald Trump, accusing him of attempting to create a new United Nations (UN) and wield significant influence over the global body. The comments come as Trump unveiled his "Board of Peace" initiative in Switzerland, which he claims will promote peace and stability around the world.
However, Lula believes that Trump's plan is nothing more than an attempt to exert control over the UN, with only Trump at its helm. In a speech on Friday, Lula stated that instead of reforming the existing UN, Trump wants to create a new entity where he has sole ownership and influence.
"This is remarkable," Lula said. "Every day President Trump says something, and every day the world talks about what he said." The Brazilian president also warned that Trump's actions are undermining multilateralism, which he believes is essential for addressing global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality.
The UN has been facing funding shortfalls due to the US pulling its funds away from international aid towards military spending. In contrast, the Board of Peace draft charter proposes a one-time payment of $1 billion for countries wishing to remain members for more than three years.
Lula's comments are significant given his recent phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who urged him to protect the UN's central role in international affairs. The Brazilian president's remarks also come as the US withdraws from dozens of UN bodies and launches its "America First" agenda on global politics and trade.
The Board of Peace initiative has sparked controversy, particularly due to the inclusion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Trump's efforts have raised concerns among allies about the reliability of US diplomacy under his leadership.
However, Lula believes that Trump's plan is nothing more than an attempt to exert control over the UN, with only Trump at its helm. In a speech on Friday, Lula stated that instead of reforming the existing UN, Trump wants to create a new entity where he has sole ownership and influence.
"This is remarkable," Lula said. "Every day President Trump says something, and every day the world talks about what he said." The Brazilian president also warned that Trump's actions are undermining multilateralism, which he believes is essential for addressing global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality.
The UN has been facing funding shortfalls due to the US pulling its funds away from international aid towards military spending. In contrast, the Board of Peace draft charter proposes a one-time payment of $1 billion for countries wishing to remain members for more than three years.
Lula's comments are significant given his recent phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who urged him to protect the UN's central role in international affairs. The Brazilian president's remarks also come as the US withdraws from dozens of UN bodies and launches its "America First" agenda on global politics and trade.
The Board of Peace initiative has sparked controversy, particularly due to the inclusion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Trump's efforts have raised concerns among allies about the reliability of US diplomacy under his leadership.
The real power struggle here isn't about creating a new UN or wielding influence... it's about control and how much we're willing to sacrifice our values for someone else's vision. Trump's "Board of Peace" sounds like a great idea on paper, but when you peel back the layers, it's just a way to exert dominance and manipulate others to get what he wants.
The truth is, real change starts from within – we need to focus on building our own strength and wisdom rather than relying on external influences. By doing so, we'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of global politics and create a more harmonious world for everyone 
I mean come on... a billion bucks for loyalty? What's next? A private army to enforce compliance? 
This whole thing feels like a setup, and Lula is right to call it out. Trump's trying to play puppet master here, but the rest of us aren't buying it. The UN needs reform, not replacement by some billionaire's ego trip 
. And what about the fact that this "Board of Peace" is already including Netanyahu? That's just a red flag waving wildly in the wind 
...
That does make me wonder if this is just another way for the US to exert control over the world.
Or maybe not... 
and lula is right on point about multilateralism being key to solving global issues we need cooperation not some dude trying to exert his own influence 
also who thought it was a good idea to include netanyahu in this thing? 
. and what's with this board of peace thing? $1 billion to stay part of the "board"? that's a pretty steep price to pay 
. lula's all right in my book, he at least knows how to speak up for the UN 
. we need more world leaders who actually care about multilateralism and global cooperation 
That's like trying to buy your way into a club, Donald! The problem is, you're not buying peace or stability, you're just buying control. And let's be real, we all know how that ends - with more wars and divisions than ever.
. Anyone who thinks this "Board of Peace" thing is a good idea needs to take a chill pill 
. Newsflash: the UN already has problems with funding and all that, but Trump doesn't want to fix it, he just wants to own the whole thing 
That's just a recipe for disaster 
. Lula's got it right - we can't let Trump undermine multilateralism when we need it most 
. Can someone pls keep him in check? 
.
. I just hope Lula is on to something and that we can keep the UN as an independent body where everyone has a say 
.
. Maybe we should just watch him do his thing and see what kind of chaos he creates