Argentina’s new authorities say no plans to review agreements with Moscow — Russian envoy

Dmitry Feoktistov

BUENOS AIRES, December 29. /TASS/: The new Argentinian authorities led by President Javier Milei have made it clear that they don’t plan to review agreements with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dmitry Feoktistov said.

"Our initial contact with the Argentinian authorities, including the president, the vice president and the foreign minister, showed that despite the startling coming to power of Milei’s team, there is reason to believe that our countries will maintain friendly relations even though the priorities that have been announced include the US, Israel and the West in general. We have been assured that there will be no review of previously signed documents. There will be no setbacks in any areas," the envoy said at an embassy reception.

Feoktistov told reporters that he had earlier held a 90-minute meeting with top Argentinian diplomat Diana Mondino. "We have been given to understand at such meetings that they are ready to maintain dialogue with Russia, they are ready to interact with us and promote relations with a focus on trade, economic and investment cooperation," he added. According to the envoy, "good attitude" towards Russia "is still there."

The ambassador pointed out that Argentina remained one of Russia’s priority partners in Latin America. "We have great potential for boosting trade in various sectors. We have sent a message to the Argentinian that now that everything is changing, it’s important to outline new trade priorities. This requires convening a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, which has not met since May 2019," the envoy said.

Milei took office as Argentina’s president on December 10. He said during his election campaign that he had no intention of boosting relations with Brazil, China and Russia as he did not agree with their policies. However, he also claimed that he would not prevent private companies from doing business with these countries. Milei views Israel and the US as Argentina’s priority allies.