Senior Kremlin diplomat praises positioning of Jair Bolsonaro’s government in its relations with Moscow

Relations between Brazil and the Russian government of Vladimir Putin are “excellent,” and regardless of the outcome of Russia’s Oct. 30 presidential election, the Kremlin is committed to maintaining that dialogue.

In a rare interview given Thursday in Geneva, one of the Kremlin’s most senior diplomats praised the positioning of Jair Bolsonaro’s government in its relations with Moscow.

“Our relations with Brazil are excellent. There is no doubt about that,” said Russian Ambassador to the UN Gennady Gatilov.

“Of course, Brazil has specific positions on certain issues. But we will continue our relations with the Brazilians,” the negotiator said.

According to him, the Kremlin hopes nothing will change after the October elections on Oct. 30.

“Regardless of the outcome, I hope that relations will continue to develop. Maybe even further,” he said.

Bolsonaro’s visit to the Kremlin, just days before war broke out in February, was viewed with suspicion by Western powers.

Brasilia, however, insisted on maintaining dialogue with the Russians, mainly because fertilizer imports are essential to Brazil’s agricultural industry.

During the first six months of the war, Brazil’s trade relations with Russia expanded considerably, with Brasilia making it clear that it would not abide by the sanctions package imposed by Western powers.

Itamaraty abstained from votes on UN resolutions condemning Russia. One of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry’s fears is that Moscow’s isolation could hinder the resumption of dialogue for a peace agreement.

In Geneva, Brazil did not vote on a proposal to establish a special rapporteur to monitor human rights abuses in Russia.

At the General Assembly, however, Itamaraty voted to condemn the Kremlin’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

The resolution passed with 143 votes in favor.

For Gatilov, not even Brazil’s vote on the side of the Western powers on the annexation issue has an impact on relations.

“Everyone has the right to express their point of view. But this does not mean it will affect our relations with Brazil,” said the diplomat, who highlighted the rapprochement between the Kremlin and the other BRICS countries.

In an hour-long conversation with the foreign press, the ambassador did not mention “war” once.

“We have been patient for eight long years. But we can no longer accept the murders of Russians in Ukraine,” he said.

The “root cause” of the crisis, he said, was the U.S. refusal to recognize the need to protect Russian security interests.

Gatilov also compared the current war and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which marked its 60th anniversary this week.

At that time, the deployment of Soviet weapons on the Caribbean island provided the tensest moment of the Cold War, and analysts believe the world was on the verge of nuclear war.

“At that time, we managed to avoid a nuclear catastrophe through mutual concessions and consideration for each country’s security,” Gatilov said.

“It seems Americans have not learned this lesson from the past,” he warned.

“Eight months after the start of the special operation, the U.S. government does not want to understand that Russia has legitimate security interests.”

UKRAINE WILL NEVER WIN

In a defiant statement, the ambassador further warned, “Ukraine will never win the war.” “Victory on the battlefield is something that can never be achieved,” he said.

For him, the government in Kyiv today has been “commandeered” by the White House.

“There is a proxy war being waged against Moscow. Kyiv is doing what Biden orders. If this does not stop, there will be no negotiations,” he said.

According to the ambassador, the Biden administration ordered Volodymyr Zelensky to break off negotiations with the Kremlin even before the conflict began.

“The Western powers wanted war,” he added.