Brazil sent a mediator to Ukraine to push for a cessation of hostilities in the war with Russia.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva said his country wants to act with "balance" between the parties to try to stop the conflict.

Lula revealed yesterday that his former foreign minister Celso Amorim arrived in Kiev by land to meet Ukrainian authorities.

"He is one of the best diplomats in the world and can bring news," said the Brazilian President.

He added: "This is the time for diplomacy, not the time for war".

Amorim's trip follows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Brazil a few weeks ago.

This earned Lula some international criticism, and that’s why he remarked yesterday : "everyone knows that Brazil condemned Russia for the territorial occupation of Ukraine".