**Brazil’s President Lula in Moscow: A Visit that Exposes Hypocrisy**
In a shocking display of hypocrisy, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his wife Janja visited Russia last week, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit has sparked widespread criticism, not just for its timing but also for the blatant disregard for human rights and democracy that it represents.
For those who may have forgotten, Lula’s government came to power in 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro’s administration, which was notorious for its authoritarian tendencies and blatant disregard for human rights. During his campaign, Lula presented himself as a defender of democracy and a champion of progressive values. And yet, here he is, shaking hands with Putin, who has been responsible for some of the most egregious human rights abuses in recent history.
**The Problem with Selectivity**
One cannot help but notice the selectivity that Lula and Janja have displayed in their rhetoric. When it comes to criticizing authoritarian regimes or defending democracy at home, they are vocal and passionate. But when it comes to foreign policy, they seem to forget what they stand for. By posing next to Putin, they not only undermine everything they claim to defend but also expose their lack of political discernment.
**The Old Logic of the Latin American Left**
This visit reveals a disturbing persistence of the old logic of the Latin American left. If a country adopts an anti–Western stance, it is treated as a legitimate ally, regardless of its human rights record or authoritarian tendencies. This approach is not just misguided but also deeply problematic.
**Economic Arguments Don’t Hold Up**
Furthermore, the economic arguments that have been used to justify this visit do not hold up to scrutiny. Brazil’s trade with Russia is modest compared to its trade with other countries, and the United States purchases a significant share of Brazilian exports every year. Lula’s reluctance to condemn Russian atrocities and his willingness to engage with Putin despite the latter’s human rights abuses say more about his ideological stance than any economic considerations.
**The True Face of Progressivism**
In the end, this visit exposes the true face of progressivism in Brazil: a movement that is willing to denounce conservatism but has no qualms about bowing to dictators as long as they claim to be anti-Western. By posing with Putin, Lula and Janja not only undermine everything they claim to defend but also hand arguments on a silver platter to the grotesque conservatism they claim to oppose.
**A Lesson in Hypocrisy**
As we reflect on this visit, one thing is clear: hypocrisy has no bounds when it comes to power and ideology. We would do well to remember that true progressivism requires courage, conviction, and a commitment to human rights, not just rhetorical flourishes and opportunistic alliances with dictators.
**About the Author**
Uria Fancelli is an expert in international affairs with a degree from FAAP in São Paulo and a master’s in European Studies and Culture from the Universities of Groningen (Netherlands) and Strasbourg (France). He is the author of “Populism and Denialism” and a specialist in democracy and authoritarianism.
