Having lost the first round of Brazil’s presidential election to far right rival Flávio Bolsonaro, incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spectacularly triumphed in the second. What comes next for Brazil? The Guardian’s Tom Phillips is answering your questions now.Ask a question: log in or sign up here to comment, or email conversations@theguardian.comLiamCurran asks: I am delighted with Lula’s victory and the progressive policies and changes that should come with it, but have been severely appalled at his support for Putin and his atrocities committed in the Ukraine war and the general abuse of human rights in Russia. Do you think Lula would ever change this policy and stand up for democracy and justice in Ukraine and Russia?Tom: I think Lula’s position on the Ukraine war and its longstanding strategic partnership with Moscow is unlikely to change. Brazil’s agribusiness sector is hugely reliant on fertilisers bought from Moscow. In fact, Brazil is now Russia’s biggest customer of fertilizers such as phosphate. After the start of the war, Brazil also became one of the biggest importers of Russian diesel. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Lula “on his impressive election result”. He also said that he hoped “Brazil continues to play an active role in international affairs and contributes to the effective protection of human rights, the rights of peoples, and the rights of states”.Speaking at the UN recently Lula called for diplomatic efforts to end the war. “We all know that there will be no winners on the battlefield. Diplomacy is the only option,” he said. But I would not expect any more forceful condemnation of Vladimir Putin from Brasília, no.Tom: I’ve heard it said that, deep down, Javier Milei wanted Flávio Bolsonaro to lose. Had Bolsonaro become Brazilian president, Brazil – as the region’s biggest economy – would surely have become ground zero for the Trumpian far right in South America. Eduardo Bolsonaro – who is close to the Maga movement – would possibly have become foreign minister or ambassador to the US. And Milei – who has tried to position Buenos Aires as a Maga mecca – would have lost his position as Trump’s go-to man in the region.That said, relations between Brazil and Argentina aren’t going to be easy. Lula clearly despises Milei (I’ve heard he doesn’t even like to utter his name) – and the feelings seem to be mutual. While Lula apparently has a decent relationship with Chile’s hard right president, José Antonio Kast – who has already said he’ll attend Lula’s inauguration in January – Milei is unlikely to be on the guest list. Continue reading...