In an unexpected turn in its foreign policy, the Argentine government led by Javier Milei decided to abstain from supporting a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly that demanded Russia withdraw all its troops from Ukrainian territory immediately and unconditionally. Among the countries that voted against the resolution were the United States, Israel, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Russia, while the majority of European countries supported the measure.
The change in stance has raised questions about the priorities of this government's foreign policy and its alignment with Trump's agenda, in contrast to previous efforts to support Ukraine. Sources close to the Foreign Ministry, led by Diana Mondino, have not issued official comments on the reasons behind this strategic change.
Argentina's abstention adds to that of the countries that make up the BRICS bloc, a group that Milei decided not to join upon assuming the presidency. These statements might have influenced the Argentine administration's decision not to support the resolution. The diplomatic shift also coincided with the departure of Argentina's ambassador to the UN, Ricardo Lagorio.
In January of this year, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Argentine president met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, to whom he reiterated his support in the context of the war with Russia. However, in recent weeks, Argentine foreign policy has undergone a notable change that has caught the attention of the international community.
According to diplomatic sources, the abstention in the UN vote would be linked to the recent alignment of Milei's government with the stance of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has harshly criticized Zelensky and reinforced his ties with Vladimir Putin. In June 2024, Milei expressed his support for the Ukrainian people during the Peace Summit in Switzerland, condemning the war as an illegitimate means to resolve conflicts between nations.
The measure reaffirming the commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity was approved with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions. Argentina's stance marks a clear contrast with previous statements of support for Ukraine made by the libertarian leader. Trump labeled the Ukrainian leader as a "dictator" and questioned U.S. financial support to Ukraine, considering the war as "unnecessary and impossible to win."
The replacement of Lagorio, Francisco Tropepi, was responsible for executing the abstention in the recent vote under directives from the San Martín Palace, which indicates a significant change in Argentina's diplomatic stance.
