Brazil's Decision To Support UN Security Council Resolution Is Not Supported By President Bolsonaro

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attend a press conference after talks in Moscow, Russia, February 16, 2022. (ANTARA/Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via Reut)

JAKARTA - Brazil voted on Friday (25/2) for a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would deplore Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite President Jair Bolsonaro's reluctance to condemn Russia.

The South American nation was among 11 council members who voted in favor of the resolution, while China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained from voting on the US-drafted text.

The draft was vetoed by Russia and is now expected to be adopted by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

Reuters reported earlier on Friday that Brazil would vote in favor of the resolution despite doubts from its far-right president.

Bolsonaro, who recently met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, on Thursday rebuked Vice President Hamilton Mourao for condemning the Russian invasion, saying it was not Mourao's job to talk about the crisis in Eastern Europe.

Brazil's foreign ministry on Thursday expressed concern about Russia's military operation and urged a diplomatic solution, but stopped short of condemning the invasion.

Just days before the invasion, standing beside Putin in the Kremlin, Bolsonaro said he was "in solidarity with Russia," without elaborating. He later told reporters that Putin had peaceful intentions.

The US State Department regretted Bolsonaro's comments and said they undermined diplomatic efforts to avert the disaster as well as Brazil's own calls for a peaceful resolution.

Ukraine's diplomatic representative in Brasilia, Anatoliy Tkach, called again on Friday for a strong condemnation from Brazilians of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.