Russian Senate President Valentina Matviyenko announced on Wednesday that she will lead the Russian delegation at the inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as Brazil’s president on January 1, 2023.
“I have instructions from the president [Vladimir Putin] to lead the delegation that will go to the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect of Brazil, which will take place on January 1, so I will celebrate the New Year on the plane,” the lawmaker said at a press conference.
On the eve, Kremlin head Vladimir Putin congratulated Lula da Silva on his victory in the Brazilian presidential election and trusted the development of strategic ties between the two countries.
According to the Russian presidency, the two heads of state expressed their confidence that strategic cooperation between Russia and Brazil – which together with India, China and South Africa are part of the BRICS group – will continue to strengthen in several areas.
Putin and Lula da Silva also hoped to consolidate ties within the BRICS and in terms of participation in international organizations.
On the social network Twitter, the future Brazilian president commented on the conversation with Putin, saying that the Russian leader “wished him a good government and strengthening of relations between our countries”.
Today I spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who congratulated me on the election victory, wished good government and strengthened the relationship between our countries. Brazil has returned, seeking dialogue with all and committed to the search for a world without hunger and at peace.
— Lula (@LulaOficial) December 20, 2022
“Brazil has returned, seeking dialogue with all and committed to seeking a world without hunger and at peace,” added Lula da Silva.
The Brazilian progressive leader won his country’s presidential election in October by taking more than half of the vote in the second round of the election he contested against current Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro.
Source: DN
