Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has abruptly canceled his trip to Russia following a head injury sustained at home over the weekend. The 78-year-old leader was set to attend the upcoming Brics summit, a key meeting of major developing nations, scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Kazan, Russia.
According to a prominent hospital in Brasília, the president has been advised to temporarily refrain from long-haul flights. Instead, he will engage in the summit through a video link, ensuring his participation despite the setback.
The Sírio-Libanês Hospital in the capital confirmed that President Lula suffered a laceration at the back of his head and is currently under medical observation. Despite this injury, he is cleared to continue his regular activities and work commitments.
Details regarding the president’s injury have not been fully disclosed by his office; however, local media reports indicate that he received five stitches before being sent home on Saturday. He briefly returned to the hospital on Sunday morning for follow-up care.
Lula was scheduled to depart at 17:00 local time to meet face-to-face with President Vladimir Putin, marking the first in-person interaction between the two leaders this year. However, Putin announced earlier that he would not be attending the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil, citing potential disruptions, although he dismissed the international arrest warrant against him as a factor.
The Brics alliance, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has increasingly positioned itself as a counterbalance to the G7 group of advanced economies. Founded 15 years ago, the Brics forum has expanded to encompass additional nations such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. This year’s summit, expected to draw significant international attention, will take place from Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan.
