Brazil sees no threat from Russia, fears its influence via Venezuela – CNN analyst
Illustrative photo: Brazil fears Russian influence through Venezuela (Getty Images)
Brazil demonstrates a dual approach to Russia's war against Ukraine. Civil society groups actively support Ukrainians, but there are pro-Russian politicians within the government, according to the RBC article on the topic.
Fernanda Magnotta, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center and Analyst for CNN Brazil, stated that experts often describe government political groups as conditionally pro-Russian.
Magnotta explained that Brazil's political leadership's position is not so much about supporting Russia as it is about long-standing strategic ties within the BRICS (forum for cooperation among a group of leading emerging economies, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates - ed.) bloc.
According to the expert, President Lula da Silva supports a foreign policy of autonomy to avoid dependence on the West or other players.
Magnotta added that anti-Western sentiments, typical of many Latin American countries, play an important role in shaping this approach.
"Many Brazilians are convinced, including in the government, that Russia is raising a voice against the US, against other countries that in the past were a threat for Latin Americans as well," the analyst noted.
Magnotta also reported that the Brazilian population does not see Russia as a threat despite its alliance with Venezuela, a country that causes significant tension in the region.
The expert explained that the issue of Venezuela is very sensitive for Brazil.
"If you want to mobilize people in Brazil, the right, the left, you just talk about Venezuela," Magnotta said.
The analyst pointed out that Venezuela currently has two most important partners — Russia and China.
"If you want to address to the Brazilian audience about fear, don't say like Russia is coming to catch you. But if you defend the idea that maybe the Russian presence can bring to the region some kind of threat, it could be working," the analyst concluded.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed cooperation with a delegation from Latin American countries in defense of Ukraine.
Recently, Brazil's President Lula da Silva suffered a trepanation of the skull after a fall at home.
