Despite the extreme tensions around Ukraine where the United States says it fears an imminent Russian invasion, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Saturday that he was maintaining his visit to Russia where he is expected on Tuesday. According to various analysts, Washington exerted pressure for the Brazilian to cancel this trip. But he left it… to God.
“We ask God for peace in the world for the good of all of us,” Bolsonaro said following an interview on local radio, while confirming his visit to Russia, scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday. “I was invited by (Russian) President Vladimir Putin”, explained the far-right head of state, recently hospitalized, quoted by the news site Uol, “Brazil depends largely on fertilizers of Russia”.
Russian-Brazilian trade is small, with trade of $7.29 billion in 2021. But fertilizers account for around 60% of Russian exports, and they are essential for the big global agricultural producer and exporter that is Brazil. Jair Bolsonaro added that his delegation would include “a group of ministers to discuss other issues of interest to our countries, such as energy, defense, and agriculture”.
The 30th anniversary of relations with Kyiv celebrated on Friday
Brazil continues to advocate “dialogue” in the Russian-Western crisis and has been careful not to take sides and only address bilateral issues during this visit. But the United States in particular fears that it will be perceived as a sign of support for the Russian president.
In a balancing act, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Ukraine on Friday, recalling in a press release the “multiple high-level contacts” since Brazil “recognized independence of Ukraine” in 1991
