UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Brazil’s foreign minister said Tuesday that the country needs to buy as much diesel fuel as possible from Russia following a deal with Moscow.
Carlos Franco called Russia a “strategic partner” and said Brazil is running out of diesel.
“Of course, we have to make sure we have enough diesel for Brazilian agribusiness and, of course, for Brazilian drivers,” he said. “That’s why we went to Array. . . very reliable diesel suppliers and Russia is one of them. “
The minister responded to a query about President Jair Bolsonaro’s comments Monday in Brasilia that Brazil has “a deal” and that Russian diesel “can start arriving here within 60 days. “”cheapest” diesel from Russia.
“Russia continues to industrialize with the total world,” Bolsonaro said.
França noted that Brazil and Russia are partners in the BRIC organization of primary economies that also includes India, China and South Africa.
In addition to diesel, the minister said, “we also rely heavily on fertilizer exports from Russia and Belarus. “
Russia is also “oil and gas principal,” he said, adding: “You can ask Germany about it and ask Europe about it. “
Russia accounts for 40% of European imports of subtle products and 55% of those products are diesel and diesel, according to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistic.
When asked how Brazil would buy diesel from Russia, the foreign minister replied: “As we can. “
França, who chaired a U. N. Security Council assembly last Tuesday on strategic communication in U. N. peacekeeping missions, asked whether Brazil is being expelled from Western countries that imposed sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
He said, “Oh, no. “
Franco also said Sunday that the Canadian government will authorize the delivery of refurbished aircraft used in a key oil-based fuel pipeline between Russia and Europe that has been repaired.
Russia’s Gazprom cited the lack of aircraft last month as a more important explanation than halving fuel by mid-June. Siemens Energy said allowing the fuel turbine to be shipped to Germany was a first step in returning it to the pipeline it operates.
“We are on the same page,” França said.
Pressed to have relations with Russia, he said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was first asked about whether Germany is still buying Russian gas. Then he said, “I’m responding. “
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Associated Press Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo contributed to this report.