The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, canceled his trip to Russia for the BRICS summit on Sunday due to "medical advice" after suffering a "domestic accident" in which he hit his head, government and hospital sources reported, Efe informs.
The Brazilian Presidency stated in a release that the trip was canceled due to a "temporary impediment for long-haul flights," but Lula will participate via video conference in the meeting, which is held between October 22 and 24 in the Russian city of Kazan.
The 78-year-old president sustained a wound on the back of his head on Saturday, leading to his admission to the Hospital Sírio-Libanês in Brasilia, as reported in a medical report that does not provide further details.
Despite not attending the summit, the government clarified that Lula will fulfill a "normal" work agenda next week in the capital.
The meeting in Kazan, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is expected to welcome over 30 heads of state and government.
The BRICS, whose original members were Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, are expanding, having included four more countries this year: Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia.
During the meeting, the member countries' leaders are expected to define the criteria for other nations to join the bloc as associates.
Brazil advocates for two criteria, for example, not supporting economic sanctions imposed without UN authorization and supporting the reform of the Security Council, as reported by diplomatic sources from the country.