The Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed this Saturday his visit to Russia on Tuesday next, despite the extreme tension over Ukraine, where the United States estimates an imminent Russian invasion.
“On Monday we will be taking off for Russia (…) I went invited by the president [Vladimir] Putin“, he said in a social media broadcast, after an interview with a local radio.
According to several analysts, Washington has pressured the Brazilian president to cancel his trip, officially focused on promoting bilateral trade relations, given the latent threat of war in Europe.
Read more: Ortega is held responsible for the death of a former Sandinista guerrilla in prison
As phone calls aimed at making diplomacy prevail multiplied on Saturday between Western leaders and Russia without lowering the tension, Bolsonaro put his faith in God.
“We ask God for peace to reign in the world, for the good of all of us,” he said.
In his mission, said the far-right president, issues of bilateral interest such as agriculture, energy and defense will be addressed.
Totaling $7.29 billion in 2021, Russian-Brazilian trade is modest.
But “Brazil depends largely on the fertilizers from Russia“Bolsonaro said.
These represent around 60% of Brazil’s purchases from Russia and are essential for the South American country, a large global agricultural producer and exporter.
Brazil continues to advocate “dialogue” in the Russo-Western crisis and has been careful not to take sides, focusing on bilateral issues during this visit.
But the United States in particular fears it will be perceived as a sign of support for the Russian president.
Playing a tightrope walk, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry celebrated on Friday the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Ukraine, recalling in a press release the “multiple high-level contacts” since Brazil “recognized Ukraine’s independence” in 1991. .
Read more: Requests for unemployment benefits in the United States drop to 223,000
#Bolsonaro #confirms #visit #Russia #Tuesday #Ukraine #crisis