Mexico's president says no to Ukraine's request for weapons

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday that Mexico would not supply any country with weapons, denying the Ukrainian embassy's request.

Through a letter addressed to the Mexican Congress, Ukraine said that its armed forces required military assistance, pleading with Mexico for warfare equipment and to contact its European partners to deliver some of the fighter jets they have to Kyiv.

At his press conference, Lopez Obrador denied that assistance of such nature would be provided to any country.

"We do not send weapons anywhere; we are pacifists," said Lopez Obrador.

On Thursday, Mexican senators held a meeting with Ukraine's ambassador in Mexico, Oksana Dramaretska. The ambassador presented the letter signed by members of Ukraine's parliamentary, urging the Mexican government to supply weaponry and humanitarian assistance.

In the letter, Ukrainian legislators urgently express the need for bulletproof vests, helmets, communication technology, and military-grade weaponry, saying that providing Ukrainian soldiers with weapons will "stop civilian casualties."

"We believe that only massive military support from our allies can help us push back the enemy. While our armed forces are valiantly resisting, we still have some problems with weapons and ammunition," said the letter.

Mexico has previously condemned Russian hostilities towards Ukraine, reiterating in multiple occasions its aversion to any type of invasion or military attacks from any nation, and has offered shelter to both Ukrainian and Russian citizens.

"If necessary, they will be helped, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in that, protection and humanitarian aid to all. We are from the party of universal brotherhood that goes beyond borders," Lopez Obrador added.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war began last Thursday, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK and US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Russia.

Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that his government would not join the sanctions against Russia imposed by Western nations.