Moscow asks for Brazil's support in global bodies to fight sanctions

BRASILIA • Russia has asked Brazil for support in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Group of 20 top economies to help it counter crippling sanctions imposed by the West since it invaded Ukraine, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov wrote to Brazil's Economy Minister Paulo Guedes asking for "support to prevent political accusations and discrimination attempts in international financial institutions and multilateral fora".

"Behind the scenes, work is under way in the IMF and World Bank to limit or even expel Russia from the decision-making process," Mr Siluanov wrote, but did not elaborate on obstacles to Russian participation in those institutions, and his allegations could not be independently verified.

The letter, which did not mention the war in Ukraine, was dated March 30 and relayed to the Brazilian minister by Russia's ambassador in Brasilia on Wednesday.

"As you know, Russia is going through a challenging period of economic and financial turbulence caused by sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies," the Russian minister said.

Asked about the letter, the Brazilian Economy Ministry's secretary of international economic affairs, Mr Erivaldo Gomes, indicated that Brasilia would like Russia to remain part of discussions at multilateral organisations.

"From Brazil's point of view... keeping open dialogue is essential," he said. "Our bridges are the international bodies and our assessment is that these bridges have to be preserved."

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week that Washington would not participate in any G-20 meetings if Russia was present, citing the invasion.

Almost half of Russia's international reserves have been frozen and foreign trade transactions are being blocked, including those with its emerging market economy partners, Mr Siluanov said, adding: "The United States and its satellites are pursuing a policy of isolating Russia from the international community."

He said the sanctions violate the principles of the Bretton Woods agreements that set up the IMF and the World Bank. "We consider that the current crisis caused by unprecedented economic sanctions driven by the G-7 countries might have long-lasting consequences unless we take joint action to resolve it," he wrote to Mr Guedes.

Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who visited Moscow just days before the invasion, has kept Brazil neutral in the Ukraine crisis and has not condemned the invasion, drawing criticism from the Biden administration.

Mr Bolsonaro expressed "solidarity" when he visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Feb 16, about a week before the invasion began.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca has said his country opposes the expulsion of Russia from the G-20 as sought by the US.

"The most important thing at this time is to have all international forums, the G-20, WTO, functioning fully and for that, all countries need to be present, including Russia," Mr Franca told a Senate hearing on March 25.

REUTERS