Buenos Aires Herald 
In a protocol reception of foreign dignitaries on inauguration day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked up and greeted Argentina’s new President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada. With Foreign Minister Diana Mondino looking on, Milei gave Zelenskyy a nine-headed candelabra known as a menorah in honor of Hanukkah.
Later, just before stepping up to give his first official speech on the steps of Congress, Milei paused to embrace his Ukrainian counterpart and exchange a few words.
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“It’s not a coincidence that this presidential inauguration is happening during Hanukkah festivities, which celebrate the real essence of freedom,” Milei said in his speech.
The two leaders are set to hold a bilateral meeting, the first of Milei’s administration, on Sunday at 4 p.m.
“This is a new beginning for Argentina, and I wish President Milei and the entire Argentinian people to surprise the world with their successes,” Zelenskyy said on X an hour later. “I am also certain that bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Argentina will continue to expand.”
Milei has expressed his support for Ukraine in its war with Russia on several occasions. Zelenskyy publicly thanked him for his “clear stance” after the far-right economist won Argentina’s elections.
“No balancing between good and evil. Just a clear support for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said, referencing Milei’s support for his country. “This is well-noticed and appreciated by Ukrainians,” he wrote in a post on X.
King Felipe VI of Spain, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Armenian President Vahagn Jachaturián also came to Argentina to attend the inauguration. Latin American leaders included Ecuador’s new President Daniel Noboa, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Paraguay’s Santiago Peña, and Uruguay’s Luis Lacalle Pou. Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro was also in attendance while incumbent Lula da Silva snubbed the invitation
Milei is set to attend an interfaith ceremony later on Sunday at the Buenos Aires Cathedral. The crowning event of inauguration day and the last on the schedule is a gala at Teatro Colón at 8 p.m., where Milei will attend a staging of the opera Madame Butterfly.
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