Born in Brazil, he was naturalized as a Ukrainian and has played fifteen times and scored one goal for the Ukraine national football team.

[2] Edmar made his debut for Ukraine on 10 August 2011, in a 0–1 loss against Sweden in a friendly match at his club ground in Kharkiv, replacing Ruslan Rotan for the final 17 minutes.

On 7 June 2013, his third cap, he made his first start in a 4–0 away win over Montenegro in qualification for the following year's World Cup.

[3] Edmar was one of nine Ukrainian players on 6 September to score in their 9–0 thrashing of San Marino at the Arena Lviv in another qualifier.

[6] As a naturalized Ukrainian citizen, on 20 July 2014, Edmar was called up to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the war in Donbas.