Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazil’s President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke by phone today for 30 minutes. Lula reported on Twitter: “I spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin today, who congratulated me on my electoral victory, wished me a good government and the strengthening of relations between our countries. Brazil is back and seeks a world without hunger and in peace.”
According to the Kremlin readout, both parties expressed confidence that their strategic relationship “will continue to develop successfully in all areas,” including cooperation in the international arena and within the BRICS grouping, to which both belong. Outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro had significantly downgraded Brazil’s role in the BRICS, whose other members are China, India, and South Africa. The two leaders agreed to maintain personal contact in the future.
The Brazilian daily O Globo, cited by Deutsche Welle, reports that Putin also raised the possibility of meeting with Lula in Moscow in 2023 or at some other international event. DW recalls that on Oct. 31, one day after Lula’s electoral victory, Putin had congratulated Lula and said then, “I hope that by working together, we can guarantee the development of a constructive Russian-Brazilian relationship in all areas.” Lula’s inauguration Jan. 1 will be attended by Valentina Matvienko, speaker of Russia’s Federation Council.
