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Mexico lawmakers criticized for Russia ‘friendship’ group

A group of Mexican lawmakers faced a backlash Thursday from their political opponents and the United States for forming a “Mexico-Russia Friendship Group” despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The move aimed at fostering cooperation and dialogue between legislators from the two countries was promoted by members of the Labor Party, an ally of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s ruling party.

The group’s inauguration on Wednesday was attended by Russia’s ambassador to Mexico, Viktor Koronelli, who praised what he called a “gesture of friendship, solidarity and support.”

Russia welcomed the decision that “Mexico will never join anti-Russian sanctions and will never, despite requests from the Ukrainian government, supply weapons to Ukraine,” he added.

Lopez Obrador has ruled out applying economic sanctions against Russia, saying that his government wants to maintain good relations with all governments.

Koronelli’s suggestion of close Mexican-Russian ties “can never happen,” the US ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, said Thursday.

“We have to be in solidarity with Ukraine and against Russia,” he said during the inauguration of a similar Mexican-US friendship group.

Opposition lawmakers also criticized the move to boost Mexican-Russian ties.

“The terrible situation that the Ukrainian people are experiencing due to Russia’s invasion must be condemned at all levels,” tweeted Jorge Romero of the conservative National Action Party (PAN).