Fact Check: Russia's ambassador claims Argentina is more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian under Milei.

Fact Check: "Russia's ambassador claims Argentina is more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian under Milei."

What We Know

Since President Javier Milei took office in December 2023, there has been a notable shift in Argentina's foreign policy, characterized by a strong alignment with the United States and a distancing from Russia. Russian Ambassador to Argentina, Dmitry Feoktistov, stated that the relationship between Argentina and Russia is currently "frozen" and indicated that Buenos Aires is "more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian" under Milei's administration (source-2). This shift is underscored by Argentina's recent abstention from a UN vote urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, which marked a departure from the previous administration's support for Ukraine (source-4).

Milei's administration has also engaged in diplomatic gestures towards Ukraine, including inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his inauguration and meeting him at the World Economic Forum (source-5). However, the ambassador noted that while Argentina has not joined Western sanctions against Russia, the overall diplomatic engagement has diminished (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Argentina is more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian under President Milei is supported by statements from the Russian ambassador, who explicitly stated this position. The ambassador's comments reflect a broader trend in Argentina's foreign policy, which has shifted towards a pro-Ukrainian stance, especially in light of Milei's previous support for Ukraine during his campaign and early presidency (source-3).

However, it is essential to consider the context of these statements. The ambassador's remarks may carry a degree of bias, as they are made from the perspective of a representative of a country facing international isolation due to its actions in Ukraine. The assertion that Argentina is "more pro-Ukrainian" could also be seen as a diplomatic critique of Milei's administration rather than an objective assessment of Argentina's foreign policy (source-2).

Moreover, while Argentina's abstention from the UN vote on Ukraine indicates a shift, it is not a complete alignment with Western policies, as Argentina has not fully severed ties with Russia. The economic relationship remains intact, with Argentina maintaining a trade surplus with Russia (source-2).

Conclusion

The claim that "Argentina is more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian under Milei" is True. The evidence from the Russian ambassador's statements, combined with Argentina's recent foreign policy actions, supports this assertion. While there are nuances in the relationship that prevent a complete alignment with Western positions, the overall trend under Milei's administration indicates a clear shift towards supporting Ukraine.

Fact Check: Russia's ambassador claims Argentina is more pro-Ukrainian than pro-Russian under Milei.