Ignoring tensions with Russia, Brazil celebrates relations with Ukraine

In a statement released this morning, Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Ministry celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Written in perfunctory language, the declaration entirely ignores current tensions between Ukraine and Russia — just days before Mr. Bolsonaro heads to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin.

“Since the Brazilian government recognized Ukrainian independence in December 1991, Brazil and Ukraine have maintained multiple high-level contacts between their representatives,” reads the statement. Perhaps worth noting is that the Foreign Affairs Ministry typically issues additional English versions of its statements, but today’s declaration was released only in Portuguese. 

Brazil also “celebrates the valuable contribution of the community of Ukrainians and their descendants in our country, estimated at 500,000 people,” recalling the contribution of Ukrainian-born writer Clarice Lispector, one of the most acclaimed artists in Brazil’s history.

Mr. Bolsonaro has kept his distance from the Russia-Ukraine tensions — ignoring demands from the U.S. Department of State for Brazil to align itself with NATO, while supporting a Moscow-drafted UN Resolution as a framework for peace talks. Senior U.S. officials tried (and failed) to convince Foreign Minister Carlos França to postpone the presidential visit to Russia.

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