In the opening words of his private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, this Wednesday (16), Jair Bolsonaro (PL) said that "we are in solidarity with Russia." He did not say how he expresses solidarity, but his host is at the center of one of the biggest security crises in the world since the end of the Cold War. Russia is in a spat with Ukraine and the West accuses Moscow of threatening to invade the neighboring country. Later, in a statement after the meeting, Bolsonaro tried to dilute the impact of the speech, which will be seen negatively in the United States and who was against his coming to Russia. "The world is our home, and God is above all of us. We preach peace and respect all those who act in this way. After all, this is the interest of all of us: peace for everyone. We are in solidarity with all countries who want and are committed to peace," he said.
The televised words were, as usual, economical through and through. The Russian said he expected a "productive meeting," while the Brazilian listed the areas of cooperation in negotiations at the meetings parallel to the meeting: defense, energy and agriculture.
"I am very happy and honored by this invitation. We are in solidarity with Russia. We really want to collaborate in several areas, defense, oil and gas, agriculture, and meetings are taking place. I am sure that this visit here is a portrait for the world that we can grow our bilateral relations a lot," said the Brazilian.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon