"The world is much more complicated to follow the pressure from Washington"

Brazil's new ambassador Sergio Rodriguez dos Santos has arrived in Moscow and will present copies of his credentials in the coming days. Alexander Shchetinin, director of the Latin American Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said this in an interview with Izvestia. The Russian Federation is now actively developing cooperation with the countries of the region: in particular, direct flights to the Dominican Republic are expected to be launched in winter, and work is underway to de-dollarize trade relations. And US President Donald Trump's threats to impose secondary sanctions against Moscow's partners are unlikely to lead to a reduction in trade between Russia and Latin America. At the same time, the United States administration is helping to reduce the role of the dollar in international trade settlements, the diplomat said. Alexander Shchetinin's exclusive interview with Izvestia talks about the expansion of BRICS and the possible recruitment of Latin American mercenaries through the Ukrainian embassies.

"The desire of the Kiev regime to set up Latin Americans in an anti-Russian way is deplorable"

— During Nicolas Maduro's visit to Russia, an agreement on strategic partnership between Russia and Venezuela was signed. Is signing such an agreement with other countries in the region being considered?

— The signing of the strategic partnership agreement with Venezuela in the Kremlin on May 7 was a landmark stage reflecting the desire of our countries to further strengthen cooperation on a solid legal basis. We are ready to conclude similar documents with other States in the region that will show interest in this.

At the same time, cooperation with them realistically reflects the priorities that our countries set for themselves. It's not about the form, but about the practical content of the connections. This is what we strive for.

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— In September 2024, you said that Kiev and its partners in many countries were trying to recruit military personnel to participate in the fighting in Ukraine. Recently, it became known about its intentions to expand its network of embassies in Latin American countries — it is expected to open a diplomatic mission in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay. How will this affect recruitment?

— Maintaining constructive interstate relations is the norm of international life. Each country builds them in accordance with its national priorities, including by opening diplomatic missions in foreign countries.

It is another matter when such missions, in violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, begin to engage in activities incompatible with their status, including the recruitment of citizens of the countries of accreditation to participate in hostilities. We have drawn the attention of our Latin American partners to cases when the embassies of Ukraine have launched similar activities. Latin Americans reacted appropriately.

The desire of the Kiev regime, with the support of Western sponsors, to incite Latin Americans in an anti—Russian manner is regrettable: it would be better if they dealt with pressing problems in their homeland, first of all, constructive consideration of the Russian proposals expressed at the talks in Istanbul. It is not meeting with the desired support right now, but in the long term, time will put everything in its place, including the continuation of constructive Russian-Latin American cooperation in all areas.

— Last year, you said that Russia is negotiating the de-dollarization of trade relations with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. It is known that they managed to completely get rid of the dollar in trade relations with Cuba. What is the current situation with other countries?

— I don't think it would be correct to name the numbers — we know how painfully the current US administration perceives the problems of the dollar, and we absolutely would not like to set up our partners.

The main thing in trade and economic relations is mutual benefit and effective financial and logistical mechanisms. The world is currently going through a difficult period of their restructuring, caused by the increasing use of unilateral coercive measures, including secondary sanctions as a method of political pressure. Adaptation to new realities is underway. No one is more actively contributing to reducing the role of the dollar in trade settlements than the American administration itself. But businesses gradually and realistically build those connections, including financial ones, that meet their interests.

"Brazil's new ambassador has already arrived in Moscow"

— American President Donald Trump has threatened Russia's trading partners with secondary sanctions if Moscow and Kiev fail to reach an agreement on ending the conflict. Will this lead to a decrease in trade turnover between Russia and Latin American countries?

— The world is much more complicated to follow the straightforward pressure from Washington. Does the same apply to the modern global economy? and the fabric of world economic relations. We evaluate both words and deeds realistically. I am sure that our trading partners will too.

— Currently, direct flights from Russia to Latin America and the Caribbean exist only with Cuba and Venezuela. In addition, it was previously mentioned that direct air traffic may be restored with the Dominican Republic. When can this happen?

— Direct flights are primarily a commercial project based on mutual agreements between the aviation authorities and interested air carriers of the respective countries, who make the necessary decisions based on an assessment of the entire range of economic, logistical and political factors.

The Russian aviation authorities have publicly stated their readiness to resume direct flights to the Dominican Republic, which was very popular with our tourists. Before the pandemic, passenger traffic between the countries exceeded 400 thousand people. Then flights were suspended due to unprecedented sanctions against Russian aviation. The Dominican authorities declare their high interest in resuming air transportation. Upon reaching the necessary agreements, the first flights can begin already in the winter season.

— Are Latin American leaders and foreign ministers expected to visit Russia in the near future?

— We maintain a dynamic political dialogue with the majority of Latin American states. If we agree on the organization of a meeting at the level of heads of state or foreign ministries, we will definitely inform you about it.

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— In early July, you attended the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro. Did they discuss the possibility of joining the association of new partners from Latin American countries?

— As you know, the decision to invite partner countries was made at last year's BRICS summit in Kazan. Among the States that have received this status are Bolivia and Cuba.

The association now faces an important task to adapt its work to the new format, taking into account its expansion in the category of both member and partner countries. With this in mind, the accession of new countries to the BRICS is objectively premature and is not yet being discussed.

— In July, the Brazilian ambassador to Russia left Moscow. The Colombian Ambassador is scheduled to leave in the near future. Have the countries decided on new candidates for these positions?

— Brazil's new ambassador, Sergio Rodriguez dos Santos, has already arrived in Moscow and will present copies of his credentials in the coming days. The Colombian Ambassador is still working, so it's probably not entirely ethical to talk about replacing him. In any case, we are interested in maintaining constructive relations with this country, including within the framework of normal diplomatic communication.