Ukrainian FM thanks Guatemala for supporting Ukraine, urges to stand up for Black Sea Grain Initiative

KYIV. Oct 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has expressed gratitude to the leadership and the diplomatic corps of Guatemala for supporting Ukraine in the international arena, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported on Friday.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy paid special attention to the food security of the world and called on Guatemala and other Latin American states to stand up for the Black Sea Grain Initiative as Russia is attempting to disrupt it.

"Ukraine does not put forward any additional requirements for the grain corridor. We want its further work and expansion of export volumes. Ukraine remains one of the key guarantors of global food security, and we are committed to our obligations," the minister said, speaking to the diplomatic corps of Guatemala.

Kuleba said that proposals to achieve a hasty peace with the Russian Federation at the expense of the territorial integrity of Ukraine or the basic principles of international law are unrealistic and would have disastrous consequences for international security.

"My message to the leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean is that Russia is not interested in peace or in the prosperity of other countries. Its three main items for export are war, propaganda and chaos. We can only stop this by working together, putting Russia into place and stopping it with our principled and resolute position," the minister said.

Kuleba briefed Guatemalan diplomats on the origins and course of Russian aggression against Ukraine, its consequences for Latin America and the world. "The only reason why Russia started this war is because Putin denies Ukraine’s right to exist as a sovereign state with its own history, culture, language, identity and future. This is, in essence, a colonial war of conquest in Europe in the 21st century. We all hoped that such wars were forever in the past. For Russia, this is not true. Therefore, we have no other choice but to defend ourselves against the aggressor and win this war," the minister said.

Kuleba became an honored guest of the annual conference of Guatemalan ambassadors at the invitation of his colleague Mario Búcaro Flores and addressed the diplomatic corps of Guatemala for the first time in the history of Ukraine’s relations with Latin American countries, the Foreign Ministry said. "Guatemala has become one of the most positive surprises this year for Ukraine. You have taken a principled position in support of our country and our people during the greatest trials. We will always be grateful to you for this," the minister said during his speech.

He praised the courage of the leader of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, who visited Kyiv in the summer despite the threat of missile strikes and held historic talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Minister thanked Flores for his leadership in the adoption of the resolution of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in the spring in support of Ukraine and condemnation of Russian aggression. Kuleba also thanked Guatemala for being the first Latin American country to join the Crimea Platform.