BRASILIA: Russia requested Brazil’s support at the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and G20 groups of major economies. This was according to a Reuters letter.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov wrote to Economy Minister Paulo Guedes asking for Brazil’s “support to prevent political accusations and discrimination attempts in international financial institutions and multilateral fora.”

Siluanov said that behind the scenes, work was underway in IMF and World Bank to restrict or even exclude Russia from decision-making processes. His claims could not be independently confirmed as he did not detail the obstacles that prevented Russia from participating in such institutions.

The Russian ambassador to Brasilia relayed the letter on Wednesday, March 30, but did not mention the war in Ukraine.

Russian Minister said that Russia has been going through an “adverse period” of financial and economic turmoil due to the sanctions placed by the United States.

ErivaldoGomes, secretary for international economic affairs at Brazil’s Economy Ministry, answered questions about the letter and indicated that Brasilia wants Russia to be part of multilateral negotiations.

“From Brazil’s perspective… maintaining open dialogue is vital,” he stated. “Our bridges represent international bodies, and our assessment says that these bridges must be kept.”

Janet Yellen, U.S. Treasury Secretary, stated last week that the United States will not attend any G20 meeting if Russia is present. She cited the invasion.

Siluanov reported that almost half of Russia’s international reserve has been frozen. Foreign trade transactions have also been blocked including with partners in emerging economies.

He added that “the United States and its satellites have a policy of isolating Russia”

Siluanov claimed that the sanctions are in violation of the Bretton Woods Agreements which established the IMF/World Bank.

Guedes wrote that he considered the crisis created by G7 economic sanctions to be a serious one and suggested that if it is not resolved, the consequences could last a long time.

Brazil’s extreme-right President Jair Bolsonaro visited Moscow only days prior to the invasion. He has remained neutral in the Ukraine crisis, but has not condemned it, which has drawn criticism from the Biden administration.

Bolsonaro showed solidarity when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, on February 16, a little over a week after the invasion began.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca said that Brazil does not support the United States’ request to expel Russia from the G20.

Franca said that “the most important thing right now is to see all international forums functioning properly, the G20 WTO, FAO and G20,” at a Senate hearing, March 25.