Threats of secondary sanctions against Brazil for trade with Russia, which were expressed earlier by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, are inappropriate, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said in an interview with CNN Brazil.
"I think these comments by the NATO Secretary General (about possible sanctions) are absolutely inappropriate," Vieira said, stressing that NATO is a military alliance, and Brazil is not a member of it.
Brazil solves trade issues "either directly or within the framework of the WTO," because Rutte's words are "nonsense," Vieira believes.
On July 15, Rutte warned that Brazil, China and India may face secondary sanctions if they continue to trade with Russia. According to the NATO Secretary General, oil and gas purchases from Russia can "do a lot of harm" to these countries. In addition, Rutte invited the states to talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urge him to peaceful negotiations.
Prior to that, US President Donald Trump, at a meeting with Rutte, said that Washington would impose duties on Moscow and its trading partners in the amount of 100% if an agreement on Ukraine was not concluded within 50 days.