Macron and Lula show unity on global issues despite differences on Ukraine

Emmanuel Macron's three-day visit to Brazil came to an end with a state visit to Brasilia on Thursday. The French president's trip was marked by a strong show of unity between him and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on major global issues. Lula praised the relationship between France and Brazil as one that creates a bridge between the global South and the developed world. However, Macron and the West have taken opposing stances on the conflict in Ukraine, with France wholeheartedly supporting Kyiv while Lula has previously stated that Ukraine and Russia share responsibility over the conflict. The media described the images of Macron and Lula's interactions during the visit as more romantic than international diplomacy, drawing comparisons to engagement photoshoots or scenes from a romcom.