Oksana Dramaretska, Ukraine’s ambassador to Mexico, criticized Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Saturday for the participation of a Russian army contingent in the Civic-Military Independence Parade. Russia has invaded Ukraine for a year and a half, resulting in more than 500,000 deaths and injuries.
“The Civic-Military Parade in Mexico City, tarnished by the participation of a Russian regiment: their boots and hands are stained with the blood of war criminals,” she accused.
“How consistent is your policy of neutrality and condemnation of aggression against my country, Mr. Andrés Manuel López Obrador?” Dramaretska added on her social media account.
The Ukrainian representative linked the announcement of the Mexican president regarding the military parade on September 16, where, according to the Secretariat of National Defense, delegations from 19 “friendly countries” participated, including Brazil, Chile, China, Korea, Cuba, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Russia.
Meanwhile, on their social media account, the Russian embassy congratulated Mexico on its 213th Independence anniversary, thanked for the invitation, and stated that the two countries are united.
“The Mexican people have clearly defined their national interests, declare them, and firmly defend them, looking confidently towards the future and setting strategic goals,” they indicated.
“All these values and aspirations unite Russia and Mexico. In our countries, they appreciate their past, their rich history, the unbreakable centuries-old bond between generations, the best traditions, and the richest heritage of their people,” they reiterated.
In February 2022, Russia initiated the invasion of Ukraine in a conflict that, until August of the following year, had resulted in more than 500,000 soldiers killed or wounded, according to independent estimates.
Around 10,000 civilians killed, 16,000 wounded, and more than 6.3 million Ukrainians as refugees in other countries, according to the United Nations (UN).
Vladimir Putin’s government argued the need to “demilitarize” the neighboring country.
They also aimed to prevent Ukraine from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany are members.
Last year, during his September 16th Independence Day speech, López Obrador stated that his government opposed any foreign intervention and criticized NATO for providing weapons to Ukraine for self-defense, as well as economic sanctions against Russia.
He even proposed a five-year truce and a dialogue committee composed of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pope Francis, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Other opposition party politicians joined the criticism of AMLO’s decision to include Russian soldiers in the 2023 Civic-Military Independence Parade.
On social media, not only has the presence of the Russian military delegation been questioned and condemned, but also that of China, Cuba, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, whose governments suppress the population and disregard human rights.
TYT Newsroom