President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Latin American parliamentarians and diplomats. Representatives of Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica arrived in Kyiv to participate in the Parliamentary Conference “Ukraine – Latin America and the Caribbean: Cooperation for the Future.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about Russian aggression against Ukraine, daily missile and drone strikes by Russia, attacks on the energy system, frontline situation, abduction and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.
The President provided additional information on the Peace Formula, which fully complies with the UN Charter, and the results of the First Peace Summit. Latin America was represented at the level of leaders. The Head of State thanked particularly Argentina, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Chile for participating in the Summit.
“Unfortunately, Russia rejects the Peace Formula and all other proposals, any proposals based on the UN Charter. They reject them and will continue to reject them because they do not respect the UN Charter, they do not recognize it. They recognize it only in words. And Putin believes in war, believes in his missiles. However, we need to force Russia into an honest peace,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
During the meeting, the parties discussed in detail the prospects for cooperation in Ukraine's defense and relations with Latin American countries.
The President urged them to join the peace process, work together to facilitate the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children, address food security issues and help Ukraine recover from shelling.
“These are not weapons issues; these are other issues. These are issues of people having something to eat, something to feed their children, something to cook, electricity to keep them warm at night. Especially now, in winter,” he emphasized.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined how Ukraine and Latin America can deepen their cooperation, particularly in the economic, technological and educational spheres.
The Head of State called the visit of the Latin American delegation to Kyiv important for countering Russian disinformation. He urged them to share their experiences and impressions and create platforms that would facilitate the exchange of reliable data on the Ukrainians' struggle against Russian aggression.
“We want state borders to be respected. Unconditionally. We want this to be the rule not only for Ukraine but for all nations worldwide. We want every nation to be free to choose its own future, free from coercion. Whether through war, political pressure, or economic manipulation by another country. And we want no one in the world to be able to carry out deportations or steal the children of another nation, as Russia is doing to Ukrainians,” the President said.
Representatives of the delegation assured of further support for Ukraine from Latin America: “We are a group of your friends. We have come to tell you that Latin America is a friendly land for you. Our people, our nations are with you.”
