Русский
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has met with the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Moscow as part of the Victory Day celebrations. Bilateral discussions were also held at the Kremlin. Both countries are founding members of the BRICS group, with Brazil holding the Chairmanship during 2025.
This is what they had to say:
Vladimir Putin: “I have warm memories of our previous conversations both in Russia and in Brazil. They were held in a very friendly atmosphere and in a business-like manner. We managed to significantly improve relations between our nations largely thanks to our personal contacts.
I would like to point out that our relations are progressing steadfastly, and high-level contact is being maintained. You always see the way to personally receive Russian representatives whenever they arrive in Brazil on working visits. Our bilateral trade is moving ahead. I want to stress that Brazil accounts for the largest share of our trade with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Russia is still the biggest exporter of petroleum products and mineral fertilisers to Brazil while your country maintains leading positions in the Russian food imports.
We are closely cooperating on the international arena, and we will revisit this topic later. This cooperation includes such venues as the UN, BRICS and G20.
I am happy to have this opportunity to discuss with you, Mr President, these and other issues which are definitely of interest to both parties.”
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation, especially at such a significant moment for you. Some members of our delegation are visiting Russia for the first time, and I would like to introduce my delegation to you. I would also like to note that this is my first visit in 15 years.
In many ways, this visit marks the realisation of the vision we have been nurturing over the past 15 years. We are now addressing issues of great significance to both our nations.
The recent decisions announced by the President of the United States, particularly in the area of tariff policy affecting all countries, undermine the principles of free trade, weaken multilateralism, and also disregard the sovereignty and dignity of independent nations. These are values we must not forget.
The purpose of my visit today is to advance the development of our strategic partnership. Brazil sees Russia as an important partner – politically, culturally, economically, and in the fields of science and technology. Likewise, Russia has many shared interests in Brazil. We are two great nations, located on opposite sides of the globe.
As part of the Global South, we now have an opportunity to strengthen our economic cooperation. Currently, our trade turnover stands at approximately US$12.5 billion, though the balance is notably in deficit for Brazil. Nevertheless, we recognise significant potential for growth in this relationship, which is precisely why we are here today.
We are keen to engage in dialogue across a broad range of areas, including military cooperation, space exploration, science, economic development, education, and – above all – energy. Accompanying me today is our Minister of Energy, as well as the Minister of Science and Technology, both ministries have signed memorandums of understanding [with their Russian counterparts]. Our delegation also includes the President of the Federal Senate, Senator Davi Alcolumbre; the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies; and my advisor on foreign affairs, Celso Amorim, well known to you as a long-time friend. We are also joined by the Director-General of the Federal Police, and our Ambassador to Russia, as well as our Minister of Energy, who has already engaged in discussions with you. For example, we have a strong interest in exploring cooperation with Russia in the supply of small nuclear power units.”
Brazil and Russia have a rapidly growing trade relationship, with Russia also investing heavily in significant industrial sectors such as nuclear energy, and uranium processing. Russian energy, agriculture and fertilizer exports have also boomed in recent years. New Brazilian consumer products are also finding their way into Russian supermarkets, including coffee, sugar, fruits, some dairy products, along with wines and cachaça, a strong alcoholic drink sometimes called Brazilian rum.
Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship during 2025, with an autumn Heads of State summit being planned for Rio de Janeiro can be expected to focus on BRICS development in Latin America and the Global South. Brazil, Russia and China would be keen to see further BRICS countries participate as members or partners, and this can be expected to occur.
In 2024, Brazil and Russia saw a significant 20% year on year increase in bilateral trade, reaching a record US$12.5 billion. With increasing Russian investment in key sectors, in addition to the expansion of shipping routes to Brazil, bilateral trade can be expected to remain a high growth sector.
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