RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro said Monday it was “almost certain” Brazil could import diesel from its BRICS partner Russia. Bolsonaro said the fuel was expected to arrive in two months and would be “much cheaper” but gave no details on quantities.
Two weeks ago, the president had said the possibility existed and that the issue had been raised in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Monday, however, he was even more emphatic.
– On my trip to Russia, I agreed on fertilizers for the agricultural industry. And now, it is almost certain that an agreement will be reached to buy much cheaper diesel from Russia. Where Petrobras, some, bought more expensive – he said in a conversation with supporters at the Alvorada Palace.
Later, in an interview at Planalto Palace, Bolsonaro said the matter was settled, citing the supply forecast:
– It is decided. In 60 days, it can already arrive here; this possibility already exists. Russia continues to do business with the whole world; it seems that economic sanctions have not taken effect.
According to the President, almost a third of diesel fuel consumed in Brazil is imported, so it is necessary to buy from the cheapest supplier.
– We import almost 30% (of the diesel consumed in the country). Now it is necessary to import diesel from those who sell it cheaper and not from those who sell it even more expensive at will because if you increase the price here, Petrobras’ profit increases.
THE BRICS BLOCK CREATES ITS OWN REALITIES
Brazil, along with Russia, China, India, and South Africa, is part of the BRICS bloc, representing the Global South’s interests. Argentina, Iran, and possibly Saudia Arabia are interested in joining.
Since the West, led by the U.S., the U.K., and the E.U., unilaterally imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, virtually all existing supply chains have been thrown out of balance. Prices for fuel prices, heating, and food have exploded in all countries that are too tightly linked to the West.
The BRICS countries are in the process of creating their trade flows independent of those of the West. A shared payment system and its own reserve currency should ensure that none of the BRICS countries is dependent on the USA, its money, and its currency.