Brazil-Russia Relations: Historical Overview and Contemporary State

A brief hindsight
Brazil was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with Russia in 1828.
In the 20th century, our bilateral relations were suspended in 1917-1945 and 1947-61.
In 1991, Brazil almost immediately recognized Russia as successor to the former USSR.

Russians in Brazil
Russian emigration to Brazil supposedly began in 1909. However, according to Fernando de Barros, there were almost 320.000 immigrants from Russia between 1871 and 1968.
Nowadays there are reportedly about 800 000 people of Russian descent in Brazil. They mostly live in São Paulo, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro.
Russian orthodox “Old believers” in Brazil, 1967

Are Brazilians and Russians similar?
According to Richard Lewis, Brazil is a multiactive culture, which means Brazilians are friendly, emotional and dialogue-oriented. Russia stands close to Brazil in this graph. Both our nations are considered flexible, talkative and compassionate.

Bilateral relations in the 21st century
2001 - Brazilian-Russian Governmental Commission;
2003 - Military Technology and Transfer Pact;
2003 - Brazil recognized Russia’s market economy

Bilateral relations in the 21st century
2005 - Brazil-Russia Strategic Alliance, cooperation in space exploration
2008 – D.Medvedev’s state visit to Brazil
Currently there are over 50 intergovernmental agreements in different fields of cooperation

Communication between
Russia’s and Brazil’s
parliaments and
administrative units.
Since 2010, there are no visa
requirements between Brazil
and Russia.
Brazil is Russia’s largest
trade partner in Latin
America. However, Russia is
only 18th major trade
partner for Brazil (2014).

Russia and Brazil within BRICS framework

Russia and Brazil within BRICS framework
GDP PPP per capita (2014): 25600$ for Russia, 16000 $ for Brazil
Foreign reserves: app. 600 bln US $ for both countries
Highest HDI of BRICS: .755 for Brazil and .798 for Russia
Data: World Bank

Russia and Brazil within BRICS framework
Similar economic trends
GDP of both countries grew in 2010-2014 but contracted in 2015 (by 3,5 % in Brazil and by 2,7 % in Russia)
Inflation
Devaluation of the national currency
Data: World Bank