Mexico will not join the worldwide pile-on to censure Russia for its invasion of Ukraine since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has stated that he wants to keep his country on friendly terms with all nations, the Russain Times reported.
"We will not retaliate economically because we want to maintain good relations with all governments across the world," Lopez Obrador told reporters. He went on to say that being impartial will allow Mexico to "speak with the parties in conflict."
The Mexican president's stance on the Ukraine crisis is a fresh diplomatic tactic, as other countries around the world, including former Warsaw Pact countries like Bulgaria and Romania, join the United States in attempting to punish Russia.
The decision to remain neutral could damage Mexico's longstanding ties with the United States, but Lopez Obrador has been skeptical of US foreign policy.
Mexico wants to retain economic connections with Russia and Moscow's Latin American allies while avoiding offending its largest trading partner, the United States. According to RT, Russia's Lukoil purchased a stake in a Mexican offshore oil project this year, and Lopez Obrador stated on Monday that his country will maintain its airspace open for Aeroflot flights to Mexico City.
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