(CNN) — The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, was received this Wednesday morning by his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the Kremlin. In a brief introduction to the meeting, Bolsonaro said that the purpose of his visit is to improve bilateral relations with Russia, according to the Brazilian Presidency.
Bolsonaro did not refer directly to the tensions between Russia and the United States and NATO over Ukraine, but said “we are in solidarity with Russia” and proceeded to address relations between Brazil and Russia.
“With much to collaborate in various areas. Defense, oil and gas, agriculture. The meetings are taking place. I am sure that my visit is a portrait for the world that we can grow a lot with our bilateral relations,” he said.
Putin praised Brazil as Russia’s main trading partner in Latin America.
“We are continuing the relations that the pandemic interrupted. The main ministers of your government visited Moscow. A meeting with the foreign and defense ministers was held today. We actively work in international forums. It is a pleasure to receive you and I hope that our meeting be productive. Brazil is the main trading partner of the Latin American region. Welcome,” said the Russian president.
Both presidents will have lunch together and talk without the presence of the press. Later, they will make a joint statement on the meeting.
Bolsonaro will proceed to visit the president of the State Duma, Viacheslav Volodin, in the afternoon, and later he and his entourage will meet with Russian businessmen.
The president of Brazil will travel to Hungary this Thursday. Although there is no confirmation yet, he is expected to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbzn.
Brazil signs agreement to exchange classified information with Russia
For his part, the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Carlos França, met on Wednesday with his Russian counterpart, Serguey Lavrov. During their meeting they discussed agreements to exchange geopolitical information and military technology.
The minister of the Institutional Security Office (GSI) of Brazil, Augusto Heleno, signed the agreement with Russia for an exchange of classified information between the two countries, according to França.
“We are interested in a regular and continuous exchange of geopolitical assessments and information from Latin America,” Lavrov said during a press conference.
Lavrov added that the two officials discussed tensions between Russia and the United States/NATO over Ukraine during their meeting.
França did not elaborate on the discussion during a news conference. But, Lavrov said the two “exchanged views on the situation in Eastern Europe” and the “US approach of substituting its orders for International Law and the attempt to divide the world into two parts: democratic and non-democratic countries.” undemocratic.”
The Russian foreign minister also reaffirmed his country’s support for Brazil to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as the expansion of the number of members of the organization.
The meeting was also attended by the Brazilian Minister of Defense, Walter Braga Netto, and his Russian counterpart, Serguei Shoigu.