RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The vice president of Brazil, Hamilton Mourão, affirmed that he does not believe that Russia wants to invade Ukraine and ruled out that the tension in the region will prevent the official trip of President Jair Bolsonaro to Moscow scheduled for mid-February.
Washington is apparently attempting to isolate President Putin from the diplomatic community by pressuring Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to cancel his upcoming visit to Moscow. (Folha de São Paulo)
US Sec State Anthony Blinken pushed the issue with Brazilian FM Carlos Franca in a phone call on Sunday, allegedly expressing concern the timing would signal Brazil’s support for Russia in current tensions with Ukraine.
Similar overtures were made to Argentine President Alberto Fernandez – due to meet Putin next week – but Brazil’s Foreign ministry insisted Bolsonaro’s visit would not be viewed in a geopolitical context.
Mourão added that Brazil is “removed from the conflict” and recalled that it is part of the BRICS, which also brings together India, China, and South Africa.
“It is an important country for us to have business; we cannot give that up,” he pointed out, defending the relationship with Russia.
The Brazilian government’s number two added that tensions in the region date back to 2014 when Crimea was reincorporated and the Russian response to NATO’s (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) advance.
Mourão added that Brazil’s principles are non-interference, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the people in its territory and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, promising that the country will always work in this direction.