Russia was ‘right’ to oppose weapons transfer to US – Ecuador — RT World News
President Daniel Noboa said that Quito was “surprised” by Washington's open acknowledgment of arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Ecuador will not send any Soviet-era military equipment to the United States over concerns about arms transfers to Ukraine, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said. Moscow protested the arms transfer plan, saying that Quito had no right to send equipment to a third country without Russia's approval.
Noboa first announced plans to hand over its old Russian and Ukrainian military equipment to the United States in exchange for US equipment worth $200 million in early January, while dismissing Moscow's protests over the issue. At the time, the president claimed the move did not violate existing treaties, which he said applied only to military equipment, not “scrap.”
Russia responded by warning Ecuador that the shipment would violate its neutrality in the Ukrainian conflict, as the United States would likely send weapons to Kiev. The Russian ambassador to Ecuador, Vladimir Sprenchan, said last week that Quito had abandoned those plans, indicating that the country was committed to doing so. “Resolving disputes peacefully through diplomatic means.”
Speaking to CNN Espanol on Thursday, Noboa confirmed that a move to Washington is now off the table, explaining that “We do not want to triangulate weapons.” And that Russia was “right” In this regard.
He added: “To our surprise, the United States publicly announced that this will be carried out for the sake of armed conflict in Ukraine, and we do not want to be part of it.”
He also pointed out that Russia is Ecuador's third largest trading partner, and stressed that his country does not want to violate any international treaties.
The United States has been searching for months for Soviet-era weapons around the world, including in Central and South America, in order to deliver them to Ukraine.
Kevin Sullivan, US Deputy Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, said earlier this month that the arms exchange deal with Ecuador was… “Arrangement for the transfer of equipment to the Ukrainian government” Noting at the time that it was still under consideration by Keto.
Russia has repeatedly denounced Western arms shipments to Ukraine, warning that they will only prolong the conflict and make the West a direct participant in the hostilities.
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