Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, yesterday called on Latin American countries
to abandon "neutrality" in relation to the Russian invasion
and regretted that relations between Kiev and the different capitals of the region "have lost focus."
"We call on all the leaders of the Latin American and Caribbean region to put aside this so-called neutrality and put themselves on the right side of History," said Minister Kuleba from the Ukrainian capital, in a press videoconference with Ibero-American journalists -
between them, Clarín-
in the framework of an activity organized by the Inter-American Press Association, the IAPA.
The interview was conducted nine days after the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin's forces, which has unleashed a protracted war, with the indirect but open participation of NATO, and above all, generating a huge economic and humanitarian crisis. magnitude.
Although the head of Ukrainian diplomacy
avoided directly criticizing some leaders in the region, such as those of Colombia, Mexico, Brazil or Argentina
, who are opposed to sending arms or ammunition to Ukraine, he assured that each country has the right to choose its foreign policy.
Before answering the journalists' questions, Kuleba gave an introduction about his government's foreign policy outlook on this war.
And he recognized above all that
"unfortunately relations between Ukraine and Latin American countries have lost focus."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
AP Photo
He said it was "a fault on both sides, from the beginning" because "traditionally we had a certain perception and a certain understanding of who were the closest allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, and who were further away."
He acknowledged that for a long time the focus of his country's foreign policy "was directed mainly towards its traditional allies in Europe and North America."
By the way, the war in Ukraine found the embassy of that country without an ambassador in Argentina, where the highest Ukrainian representative has been the charge d'affaires Sergiy Nebrat since 2019.
“This year in 2023, we are going to work much more on our commitment to Latin America.
Ukraine has the predisposition to develop deeper political, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties with Latin America and the Caribbean region,” she said.
"This time, the time has come to expand our ties and make up for the previous lack of attention
," Kuleba said, listing a series of Zelensky government contacts with Guatemala, Chile and Mexico.
What is your opinion about the attitude of President Alberto Fernández and his government towards the invasion of Ukraine, taking into account his visit to Moscow in February 2022 and his current alliance with Putin? Do you think that support for Ukraine is enough?
I believe that all countries have the right to choose their own foreign policy.
And also define the balance regarding international situations.
I think at the same time there are some comparative points that make the situation very clear.
One of them is the vote in favor of the general resolutions of the UN, in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
This is really indicative because this is when a country makes its position clear, where it stands.
The Fernández government voted against the invasion in the international resolution...
The second point I would mention is whether a country provides practical solutions for Ukraine given the circumstances of the Russian aggression.
The Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, in an interview with media associated with the Inter-American Press Association (SIP), including Clarín.
Regarding this, Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov asked to come to Argentina at the end of March as part of a tour of Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba...
Precisely, the third criterion that I would mention is to shake hands with President Putin and Minister Lavrov.
Because their hands are stained with the blood of civilians, of Ukrainian women and children.
Their hands are stained with the blood of their own citizens, who in the most cruel way are being sent to the front lines unprepared and die in this bloody war.
So these are the things we look at.
I did not have the opportunity to speak with the Argentine Foreign Minister recently.
I look forward to contacting the new Brazilian Foreign Minister.
But then again, each country can find a balance if they choose to do so.
But there are some indicators that make it easier to identify where the country is truly positioned.
In the UN General Assemblya resolution on the anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the tragic anniversary, will be considered and voted on, and this will be an indicative moment.
We will see who and how they vote.
Are you satisfied with the attitude of the Argentine government this past year?
I am a foreign minister.
I cannot be satisfied, by definition.
I always want more from everyone and I am always prepared to give people more.
It's not the kind of emotions I base my decisions on, whether or not I'm satisfied.
I take Argentina for what it is.
I have told you the criteria we use when evaluating the positions of any country.
But we should not be guided by emotions on these issues.
In the interview, the Ukrainian minister said that last year Zelensky began a process of deepening relations with some countries in the region.
He had some missteps that he did not allude to.
For example, he could not, as he wished, give a speech at either the Mercosur or CELAC summits.
"My president and I have had dozens of contacts with Latin American partners. In July, we welcomed the president of Guatemala to Kiev, who became the first Latin American leader to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. I also became a special guest at the annual conference of ambassadors of Guatemala and the parliamentary delegations of Chile and Mexico”, he stated.
The foreign minister, alluding to his country's document that he called the “Foreign Policy Strategy for Latin America”, finally said that it was his government's intention to seek support here and in United Nations resolutions.
“Depriving Russia of its observer status at the OAS, in April 2022, was also a very important step.
We appreciate the humanitarian aid that has come from different Latin American countries in recent months," concluded the diplomat from kyiv.
look too
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A question with more unknowns than certainties
