On May 3, 1961, Nikita Khrushchev met with Paulo Leão de Moura, head of Brazil's trade mission, to discuss the potential restoration of diplomatic relations and the expansion of trade between the Soviet Union and Brazil. Leão de Moura, under instructions from Brazilian President Jânio Quadros, presented two conditions for restoring relations: a public Soviet declaration of interest in resuming diplomatic ties and the successful conclusion of ongoing trade negotiations. Khrushchev expressed support for increased trade and praised Quadros' pragmatic foreign policy. He emphasized the USSR’s commitment to mutually beneficial trade, contrasting it with U.S. reluctance to support industrial development in countries like Brazil. Both parties expressed optimism about improving relations, with Leão de Moura indicating that diplomatic ties could be restored by year-end if conditions were met. The meeting concluded with assurances of confidentiality and mutual respect.
This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
