Buenos Aires Herald 
On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Argentina abstained from the United Nations General Assembly vote on a resolution regarding the ongoing war on Monday. The decision marks a notable shift in President Javier Milei’s foreign policy regarding Ukraine since taking office.
There were two competing non-binding resolutions in the General Assembly. One was put forward by Ukraine condemning Russia as having violated the UN Charter and demanding the withdrawal of troops. The United States presented a second resolution that did not attribute responsibility and called for dialogue. Ukraine’s resolution passed with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions. The U.S. competing resolution passed 93-8 with a series of amendments highlighting that the conflict was sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. was among the 73 countries that abstained, refraining from voting on its own resolution following the amendments.
Argentina’s abstention at the UN is a stark contrast to Milei’s earlier stance, which was vocally supportive of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a prominent guest at Milei’s inauguration: the Argentine president gifted him a nine-headed candelabra known as a menorah in honor of Hanukkah. Their bilateral meeting was the first of Milei’s administration, and he was later honored with an Order of Freedom for reiterated support for Ukraine in global forums.
The move comes in the wake of President Donald Trump referring to Zelenskyy as a dictator and Argentine foreign policy increasingly aligning with the United States. Since Trump’s election, Argentina has mirrored U.S. policies, such as exiting the World Health Organization in February. Milei was a featured guest at last week’s CPAC, praising Trump’s reciprocal tariffs in a speech and appearing onstage next to Elon Musk having gifted him a personalized chainsaw.
The Foreign Ministry declined the Herald’s requests for comment, saying that Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein will be giving an interview on the subject later on Monday evening.
