EU considers treating Brazil as a global player and releasing Mercosur agreement to contain Moscow

The European Union is considering completing the agreement with Mercosur and strengthening relations with Brazil, Chile, Nigeria and Kazakhstan to contain the advance of Moscow’s influence. The EU’s strategy was revealed in a confidential document drawn up by diplomats, which was obtained and reported by US news website Politico.

The document points out how the European bloc intends to expand the relationship with each of the countries treated as a priority. Among the planned measures are trade, energy and migration agreements, among others. The EU’s intention is to drive Russia and China away from these countries.

With regard to Brazil, the bloc states that “the current government shows signs of willingness to intensify cooperation”. In addition, the European Union considers that the country wants to be “recognized and treated as a global player”. The EU argues that one of the ways to ensure Brazil’s leading role is to deal with the trade agreement with Mercosur, which is at a standstill.

Diplomats also expressed concern about Brazil’s position on the war in Ukraine. This month, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) again said that Ukraine was also responsible for the decision to go to war with Russia. Lula also stated that the United States and Europe ended up contributing to the continuation of the war. The statement generated strong repercussions from the US and the EU.

In addition, the EU is also concerned about the lack of compliance with actions related to climate, environment and sanitary approval of the bloc’s products. The document also points out that Brazil does not want to depend on Russia and Belarus for the supply of fertilizers to the country. And it also reinforces the need for the EU to focus on actions for “green and digital transitions” with the Lula government.