Find out why Bolsonaro took a picture next to Putin in Russia

President Jair Bolsonaro had the “privilege” of sitting next to Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the Russian governor on Wednesday, 16. Putin spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz a few days ago. In contrast to the “far” treatment – literally – European leaders received, Putin shook hands with the Brazilian CEO. However, this behavior was not so much motivated by diplomacy as by health issues.

Unlike European rulers, Bolsonaro agreed to follow the approved health protocol for all visitors to the Russian government headquarters: he underwent a RT-PCR test, to detect COVID-19, with the Putin government’s medical team. According to the rules of the Kremlin, the tests are daily and cannot be of another nationality.

Macron, for his part, refused a Russian test when he arrived to meet Putin this week. Instead, he took a French exam, but the alternative was not enough to convince the local authorities. According to sources in the French president’s entourage heard by Reuters, Macron wanted to prevent Russia from acquiring his genetic material.

As a result, the French head of state was distanced from the Russian leader during the lengthy talks they had about the crisis in Ukraine. They were photographed on opposite sides of a table measuring about five meters, sparking sarcastic comments on social media and drawing the attention of the world press.

The same happened with Scholz, who also avoided RT-PCR testing from Russia. Either way, there was no handshake. Bolsonaro was able to salute Putin, and the gesture was recorded.

The Brazilian president, who has said he has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus, has already had to take coronavirus tests on other occasions. To attend the inauguration of Minister Andrei Mendonka in the Federal Supreme Court (STF), for example, the actor had to present a negative result of illness, according to court protocols.