Brazilian Rightwing Congressman Secretly Recorded Making Sexist Remarks On Ukrainian Women

A Brazilian right-wing politician is facing backlash for his sexist remarks about Ukrainian women fleeing their country as Russian forces advance their invasion into key cities of Ukraine. Arthur do Val, a congressman representing Sao Paolo and a former supporter of President Jair Bolsonaro was exposed in leaked secret audio recordings while on a diplomatic mission last week to Ukraine.

According to The Guardian, the 35-year-old politician was on a three-day humanitarian mission to the eastern European region to bear witness and bring awareness to his people on the plight of Ukrainian refugees and the human cost of Russia’s invasion. Do Val had been updating his trip on his social media account, posting photos of himself while traveling around the devastated cities of Ukraine with his companion, Renan Santos, a well known Brazilian right-wing activist.

The pair had gone to Ukraine bearing thousands of dollars to be donated with the blessing of Brazilian conservative minister Sergio Moro. Do Val and Santos helped refugees cross the border while filming the makings of war as he tweeted a selfie surrounded by crates of Molotov cocktails in the background while in Uzhhorod. Little did he know that his noble mission would be tainted by secret recordings of him that were leaked by Brazilian media as he was discussing his trip.

“I’ve just crossed the border on foot between Ukraine and Slovakia. Bro, I swear to you… I’ve never seen anything like it in terms of beautiful girls. The refugee queue… it’s like 200metres-long or more of just total goddesses…,” he said in one recording. In another recording, Do Val was also heard saying: “Let me tell you, they’re easy because they’re poor.”

From the third recorded clip he was caught making obscene comments about the female security officials deployed at the border of Ukraine and Slovakia and he went on to say, “Just unbelievable, dude. As soon as this war’s over, I’m coming back.”

Do Val, who has since returned to Brazil last Saturday, did not expect to be received from his trip with much outrage. Over 40,000 people have signed an online petition demanding the congressman's expulsion from Sao Paolo’s parliament. The entire audio leak fiasco forced Do Val to suspend his gubernatorial campaign.

The shamed congressman has unsuccessfully attempted to justify his crude and misogynistic comments having also lost his girlfriend and key allies upon his return. He explained how not having to drink any water for three days during his trip had made him over-excited. “My mind was racing. I talked nonsense.”