In recent days, the US government has indicated a possible change of tone in relation to Brazil, with occasional praise for the country’s diplomatic position in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
The speeches contrast with a series of public criticism, loaded with harsh words, for the visit of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to Russia, days before the invasion began.
On Sunday (6), Brian Nichols, assistant secretary for the Western Hemisphere at the State Department, praised Brazil’s performance in the UN Human Rights Council on Twitter. “Every vote to hold the Kremlin accountable for these horrible actions matters. The US is proud to stand with Brazil in defending the human rights of everyone in Ukraine,” he wrote.
The positions on the Security Council were also well received, according to a State Department official interviewed by the sheet. On condition of anonymity, he stressed that despite public US criticism of Bolsonaro’s trip, the two countries continue to work together at various levels of government to try to help resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
Last week, Brazil voted in favor of two resolutions in the collegiate: one condemning the invasion — the text was barred by Russia, which has veto power — and another that caused the issue to be taken to the General Assembly. In it, a motion condemning the actions of Russia was approved on March 2, also with a vote by Brazil.
In an interview with the America’s Quartely magazine podcast on the 3rd, Juan Gonzalez, director for the Western Hemisphere of the National Security Council, sought to show that he understands the difficulties of the Brazilian government.
“You have a zone of peace and security in the South Atlantic, an area that Brazil and its foreign policy seek to make a place of neutrality, because they don’t want to become chess pieces in, say, the Cold War. And neutrality is good.” until one country invades another. At this point you have to choose a side, and I think, without specifying any country, that the articulation of neutrality is a rationalization for not wanting to take a position”, he said.
Despite the anti-Moscow votes of Brazilian diplomacy at the UN, Bolsonaro has spoken of maintaining balance in the conflict, fearing shocks that the war could have on the economy, such as the supply of agricultural fertilizers — 23% of the inputs consumed in Brazil in 2021 came from Russia. . “For us, the fertilizer issue is sacred,” said the Brazilian. Since the invasion of Ukraine began, the president has even publicly waved at Vladimir Putin.
In the interview, Gonzalez also spoke about the environment, one of the recent points of tension between the US and Brazil. He said the country is a global and regional leader on climate issues and that fighting deforestation will remain a difficult issue even if Bolsonaro leaves power.
“The PT [de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, que lidera as pesquisas] was not pro-climate until it became a global issue. Even in a PT government, this will be very difficult, because there are very strong political actors in this area, many powerful businesses around. I will not underestimate the political challenges that any government in Brazil will face in the Amazon,” he pondered.
This milder tone in diplomacy with Brasilia comes at the same time that the US seeks to reconnect with Venezuela. A rare round of talks took place over the weekend, followed by speculation it could pave the way for easing sanctions and freeing up Washington’s purchase of Venezuelan oil.
Two Americans arrested were released in recent days, after the visit of Joe Biden’s delegation to dictator Nicolás Maduro.
THE sheet the State Department did not comment on possible links between the two movements. “The long-term strategic partnership is important to both nations and both regions, based on a shared commitment to democratic values. We will continue to work with Brazil to address global challenges, including threats to global peace and security.” , said in a statement, a spokesperson for the agency.
In February, the US government publicly criticized Bolsonaro for visiting Russia amid tensions between Moscow and Kiev, which would later lead to war. On February 16, the Brazilian met with Putin and said he was “in solidarity with Russia” — without specifying in what aspect he expressed his solidarity.
The next day, the State Department was critical. “The moment when the president of Brazil expressed solidarity with Russia, just when Russian forces are preparing to launch attacks on Ukrainian cities, could not be worse,” a spokesman for the ministry said in a note to journalists. “This undermines international diplomacy aimed at averting a strategic and humanitarian disaster.”
Soon after, it was the turn of White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki to speak. “I would say that the vast majority of the global community is united in their view that another country taking part of their land, terrorizing their people, is certainly something not in line with global values. So I think Brazil may be on the other side in that the majority of the global community is.”
