Brazil’s Bolsonaro downplays U.S. pressure on upcoming trip to Russia

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday, February 3, downplayed possible pressure from the United States on the Brazilian government to reconsider its trip to Russia.

“Brazil is Brazil, Russia is Russia. I have a good relationship with the whole world. So if Joe Biden invites me I will be in the United States with the greatest pleasure,” he told reporters.

Bolsonaro is scheduled to visit Moscow on February 14, after being invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official visit.

However, the meeting has been causing concern in the United States, and was the subject of a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos França.

According to sources familiar with the conversations, Joe Biden’s administration is concerned that the meeting could be construed as potential Brazilian support for Russia, which has expanded its military presence on the border with Ukraine.

On Thursday, the U.S. accused Russia of “fabricating a pretext for an invasion,” this time using a “graphic” video that would portray a fake attack on Russian territory.

Despite the reported U.S. pressure campaign, the 3-day visit is still set to go ahead, according to Brazil’s Foreign Ministry. Bolsonaro says he has no plans to raise the Ukraine or NATO issues with officials in Moscow.

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