Brazilian President Jair BolsonaroMEXICO, Feb 1 The United States puts pressure on the government of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, seeking the cancellation of his trip to Russia amid tensions over Ukraine, Folha de Sao Paulo reported. Earlier, Bolsonaro confirmed his intention to visit Moscow in February. The Brazilian leader was invited to Russia in December by President Vladimir Putin.
"U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in a phone call this Sunday with Foreign Minister Carlos França, reiterated his concern that Bolsonaro's trip to Russia could be interpreted as a sign that Brazil is taking sides in the conflict," publication sources in the Brazilian Foreign Ministry.
According to Folha de Sao Paulo, the administration of US President Joe Biden held similar talks with Argentina, whose President Alberto Fernandez will visit Russia this week. over the fact that the trip did not take place and was at least postponed,» the article says. At the same time, the sources noted that there is no desire to cancel the trip to Moscow in the Brazilian government now — «at the meetings of the president, an extensive agenda of bilateral relations between Brazil and Russia will be discussed, BRICS partners, which has nothing to do with the geopolitical situation in the east of Europe».The Kremlin spoke about preparations for the visit of the President of ArgentinaUkrainian issueIn recent months, relations between Russia and the West have become even more tense, the situation around Ukraine has worsened. Washington and Brussels accuse Moscow of preparing an «invasion», declaring that Russian troops are being pulled up to the border with a neighboring state. Against this background, the North Atlantic Alliance is strengthening its presence in Eastern Europe. In particular, on January 24, it became known about the transfer of a Danish frigate to the Baltic and four Danish fighters to Lithuania, Spanish ships and Dutch fighters to Bulgaria, as well as the possible dispatch of French units to Romania. Moscow rejects all claims, emphasizing that they are moving troops within their territories. The Russian side also recalls that Ukraine does not comply with the Minsk agreements, which provide for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of contact. Now Kiev has concentrated half of the army’s personnel on the border with the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR and is regularly shelling the militias, including using prohibited equipment — the Javelin anti-tank missile system and the Bayraktar strike drone. «- to build up a foreign grouping at the Russian borders. In addition, they explained that the main reason for the escalation in Ukraine is the actions of the United States and NATO, which send military instructors, weapons and equipment there, increase the number of exercises, thereby pushing Kiev towards military adventures.
Putin expressed hope for continued dialogue with Brazil in the BRICS