Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Sunday, adding that Brazil would “adopt a neutral stance on Ukraine” and will not impose sanctions on Russia.
Speaking at a news conference while on vacation, Bolsonaro said Ukrainians had “trusted a comedian with the fate of a nation” — referring to Zelensky’s former career as an actor and comedian.
He also pointed out that Brazil is dependent on Russian fertilizer, and that action against Moscow “could bring serious harm to agriculture in Brazil.”
He added that he was in support of peace — “but we don’t want to bring more problems to Brazil.”
When questioned about a possible massacre in Ukraine, Bolsonaro said it was “an exaggeration to speak of massacre,” and defended Russia’s move to recognize the pro-Moscow separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine as independent.
Bolsonaro met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a visit to Moscow on Feb. 16.
The Brazilian President’s comments Sunday came after the United Nations Security Council voted by majority to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss Russia’s invasion.
Brazil voted in favor of holding the meeting while Russia voted against it. India, China and the UAE abstained – CNN
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