Argentina backs Putin as it vows to be Russia’s ‘gateway’ in terrifying warning shot to US

Alberto Fernandez said his country must abandon its economic “dependence” on the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – a goal in which “Russia has a very important place”. Argentina’s proposal comes at a critical time for the Kremlin on the global stage, with fears it might launch an attack on Ukraine on the rise.

Mr Fernandez told Mr Putin: “The context is very favourable for closer ties between Russia and Argentina.

“We have to see how Argentina can become a gateway for Russia in Latin America, so that Russia can enter in a more decisive way.

“Argentina has to stop being so dependent on the IMF and the United States. And it has to open the way to other places. And that is where I think Russia has a very important role.”

READ MORE: China ‘working’ with Russia amid Ukraine crisis to exploit West

The Russian leader, confirming his political will to consolidate the strategic relationship between Moscow and Buenos Aires, claimed: “The exchange of views on global and regional problems showed that Russia and Argentina hold similar or identical positions on many issues.

“Our countries firmly uphold the principles of the supremacy of international law, sovereignty, independence, and non-interference in the domestic affairs of foreign states.”

As the Argentine president made the offer, more than Russian 100,000 troops, tanks, artillery and missiles remain near Ukraine’s borders.

Interest in associating itself with Russia is rare due to the Kremlin’s apparent intention to invade its neighbour, which has resulted in most of the West showing support for Kiev while threatening Moscow with sanctions.

After Thursday’s meeting, in which Mr Putin thanked Mr Fernandez for Argentina’s widespread use of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the two leaders had had a private lunch together.

Mr Fernandez said in an address to the nation: “We had an unpayable debt, which left us without a present and a future. Now we have a reasonable agreement that will allow us to grow and meet our obligations through growth.”

While Buenos Aires has suggested it wishes to loosen its ties with Washington, the US has not expressed any such intention.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Buenos Aires told Infobae: “The relationship with Argentina is important for the United States. It is a partnership.

“We have a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. We work together to combat climate change. We are partners in the fight against the Covid pandemic.

“To this end, we donated 3.5 million vaccines to the people of Argentina in 2021 and have delivered more than $4.6 million in relief supplies by Covid since the start of the pandemic.

“We seek to strengthen our cooperation in areas of mutual interest and benefit.”

Mr Fernandez and Mr Putin are meeting in Beijing, where they were invited to attend the Winter Olympic’s opening ceremony by China’s President Xi Jinping.

This year’s Games — and those who support them — are under intense scrutiny because of China’s alleged human rights violations.

After a large number of countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, the US and a big part of the EU, decided not to send political representation to Beijing for the event, those that did travel are seen as turning a blind eye to allegations that China has since 2017 arbitrarily detained or imprisoned up to a million Uighurs and other minorities in its western region of Xinjiang.