Bolsonaro: Brazil adopts cautious approach towards conflict in Ukraine

President Jair Bolsonaro said on Sunday (Feb. 27) Brazil’s vote on a United Nations (UN) resolution on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is free and balanced, and added the country does not defend “any sanction or condemnation against President Putin”.

“Our position must be very cautious when dealing with such a serious case. No one is in favor of war anywhere in the world. This could bring very serious problems for all humanity and for our country which is also in this context,” he said at a press conference at Andradas Fort, in Guarujá, on the coast of São Paulo state.

Conversation with Putin

Bolsonaro also mentioned his recent visit to the Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on February 16, when both presidents talked about the conflict and trade issues, such as the importation of fertilizers by Brazil. “President Putin and I talked for more than two hours about different topics, the most important one was the import of fertilizers. He obviously said something about Ukraine, but I’d rather not go into details as you would like,” he said.

President Bolsonaro believes the conflict shall soon reach a solution. “I don’t believe it will last long. The arms capacity from both countries is very uneven. We hope the NATO countries [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] do not increase this problem that is about to be solved,” he declared.