Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 78, has canceled his trip to Russia for the upcoming BRICS summit following a fall at home that resulted in a minor brain hemorrhage. The incident occurred on Saturday, leading to a head injury that required stitches, specifically a laceration to the occipital region. Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, advised him against long-haul flights, prompting the decision to participate in the summit via videoconference instead of departing at 5 PM on Sunday. This summit would have marked Lula's first in-person meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this year. In Lula's absence, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will lead the Brazilian delegation. The cancellation adds another layer of complexity to the BRICS summit, which is already under scrutiny due to geopolitical tensions, including Putin's recent threats involving his nuclear briefcase at the event. [fd48d0f0]
Meanwhile, the BRICS summit in Beijing is set against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Russia and the West. Putin's display of his 'nuclear briefcase', known as 'Cheget', during the summit has drawn significant attention, as it symbolizes Russia's readiness to use nuclear capabilities if provoked. This provocative display coincides with the ongoing fallout from the Ukraine conflict, which has strained relations globally. Some European delegates even walked out during Putin's speech, reflecting the contentious atmosphere surrounding the summit. The absence of leaders like Lula may further complicate discussions on international cooperation among BRICS nations. [8bb6117a] [73920dfa]