Brazil and Russia are pursuing extensive cooperation on nuclear technology, military hardware and space exploration, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva brushed off European criticism of his attendance at Vladimir Putin's Victory Day celebrations as "pettiness,” Folha de Sao Paulo reported.

The Brazilian leader presented draft agreements covering defence, energy and scientific collaboration during his first Moscow visit in 15 years, even as several European leaders staged a surprise show of unity with Ukraine's president in Kyiv.

Lula expressed particular interest in Russian small modular nuclear reactors during Kremlin talks on May 9, telling Putin that Brazil wished to "learn about Russian technology" in the sector, Estadao reported. His delegation, which included three cabinet ministers, prepared bilateral memoranda spanning military, space and educational cooperation.

"My visit today is aimed at strengthening the building of our strategic partnership," Lula told the Russian president, according to a Kremlin statement. The proposals mark a significant warming of Brazil-Russia ties at a time when most democratic nations continue to shun Moscow over its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Brazilian leader joined approximately 30 foreign dignitaries at the May 9 Red Square military parade, watching Soviet-era tanks and modern drones — of the type deployed over Ukrainian cities — roll past in what critics called a propaganda display for Russia's invasion.

Yet Lula defended his presence, arguing that European nations should themselves celebrate the defeat of Nazism. "Europe should have been celebrating yesterday," he said. "France should have been celebrating. Germany should have been celebrating yesterday because, thanks to what happened in 1945, the Nazism that was taking over Germany was defeated."

His Moscow visit coincided with an unannounced trip to Kyiv by Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Donald Tusk and Keir Starmer, who on May 10 presented proposals for an immediate 30-day ceasefire backed by threats of expanded economic sanctions.

The European leaders, who secured remote participation from US President Donald Trump in their discussions with Volodymyr Zelensky, reiterated their condemnation of Russia's "illegal and barbaric invasion" in a joint statement.

"For the first time in a long while, we feel that the entire free world is truly united," Tusk said after the Kyiv meetings.

Meanwhile at the Kremlin, trade considerations featured prominently in the Brazil-Russia discussions. Putin praised Brazil as one of Russia's largest food suppliers, noting that Moscow remains Brazil's primary source of oil and fertilisers. Annual bilateral trade reaches $12.4bn, though Brazil maintains a $9.5bn deficit.

Echoing recent statements by Chinese officials, Lula took the occasion to slam US aggressive trade policies, complaining that Trump's tariff measures "undermine the great idea of free trade, strengthening multilateralism and often the respect for the sovereignty of countries".

The Brazilian delegation included foreign minister Mauro Vieira, energy minister Alexandre Silveira, science minister Luciana Santos, and veteran diplomat Celso Amorim — described Lula as Putin's "old friend". According to Estadao, also present was Fernando Queiroz, chief executive of meat processor Minerva, whom Lula said requested to join the trip as his company is Russia's largest beef supplier.

Brazil has long sought to position itself as a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict, developing peace proposals jointly with China. However, Lula has repeatedly declined invitations from Zelensky to visit Kyiv, while the Ukrainian leader turned down the Sino-Brazilian peace plan dismissing it as “destructive.”

"Brazil's position is very solid," Lula said, referencing the peace initiative presented at the UN last year. He insisted his Moscow visit did not alter Brazil's stance opposing "territorial occupation of another country", though he added that peace required both parties' willingness to negotiate.

The Brazilian leader faced international backlash in 2022 for suggesting Zelensky was "as responsible" for the war as Putin.

As a BRICS founding member alongside Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brazil has pursued a multi-vector foreign policy, maintaining relations across geopolitical divides. Lula's Moscow visit preceded scheduled meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing just as Brazil, which holds the BRICS rotating presidency this year, readies to host the bloc’s summit in July.

Brazil's approach reflects its non-aligned foreign policy traditions, though Western diplomats privately express concern about expanding Moscow ties amid the ongoing conflict. The nuclear technology proposals could particularly reshape Brazil's energy sector if small modular reactors prove viable.

Of the leaders invited to the Victory Day parade, Lula ranked among the few democratically elected officials to attend. His participation, despite mounting international pressure, underscored Brazil's divergent approach from Western democracies on Russian sanctions and diplomatic isolation.