Brazil’s president pledges to provide humanitarian visas to Ukrainians

By Bala Chambers

LONDON (AA) - Brazil’s president pledged Monday to allow Ukrainians to come to his country through a humanitarian visa amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

"We will do everything possible to welcome the Ukrainian people,” said Jair Bolsonaro during an interview with Jovem Pan radio which was also shared on the president's social media accounts.

Brazil is expected to push through a measure guaranteeing Ukrainians access to the humanitarian visa and will regulate the entry of Ukrainians into Brazil, according to national public news agency Agencia Brasil.

The specific details on the visa are expected to be published in the coming days.

During the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Bolsonaro has asserted that the South American nation will continue to maintain a neutral stance.

He has stated that Brazil is clear in its position relating to the "defense of sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity of states."

He has also said that Brazil will not impose sanctions on Russia due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Brazil is heavily dependent on agribusiness trade with Russia to produce food, which could be impacted if sanctions were pushed through.

Bolsonaro also rebuffed criticism from Ukraine's representative in Brazil, saying Brazil must be balanced in its foreign relations with different nations.

According to authorities, eight Brazilian officials have arrived in Poland’s capital Warsaw to help Brazilian nationals unable to return to home amid the war and to set up a support office in Lviv, Ukraine to assist Brazilians trying to leave the country.