Vladimir Putin hails Brazil ties after ‘constructive talks’ with Jair Bolsonaro in Moscow

Bolsonaro was hosted at the Kremlin as Western leaders remain fearful of a Russian attack on its neighbour Ukraine

Following talks Putin described as ‘thorough and constructive’, the Kremlin released a statement saying the leaders had agreed deeper cooperation in energy and trade

Reading Time:1 minute

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 16. Photo: Sputnik / AFP

Published: 11:32pm, 16 Feb 2022Updated: 3:24am, 17 Feb 2022

Russian leader President Vladimir Putin welcomed “constructive” talks on Wednesday with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was on his first official trip to Moscow, defying US concerns amid the Ukraine crisis.

Bolsonaro was hosted at the Kremlin as Western leaders remain fearful of a Russian attack on its neighbour, Ukraine.

Brazil is Russia’s “leading partner” in South America, Putin said, and the countries are bound by “friendship and mutual understanding”.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 16. Photo: EPA-EFE / Mikhail Klimentyev / Sputnik

Following talks Putin described as “thorough and constructive”, the Kremlin released a statement saying the leaders had agreed deeper cooperation in energy and trade.

It added that the two leaders “share the opinion that conflicts should be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means”.

Bolsonaro had brushed off pressure from Washington, Brazil’s traditional ally, and his own cabinet to cancel the trip, justifying the focus on trade.

Brazil’s foreign and defence ministers were also in Moscow for talks with their Russian counterparts.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x