Russia's war in Ukraine disturbing world peace: Argentine president

By Bala Chambers

LONDON (AA) – Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said on Tuesday the Russian war on Ukraine has disrupted world peace and the violence has cost human lives.

“The peace of the world is disturbed by the military invasion of the Russian Federation on Ukraine. Europe is moved as the specter of war rises again. Again war violence devastates human lives,” Fernandez said during the opening of the 140th ordinary legislative session of Argentina's National Congress.

With Ukraine flags visible, lawmakers held a minute of silence for those killed during the conflict and those lost to the coronavirus.

Fernandez urged peace while touching on the effect of war.

"Argentina is part of that world and cannot escape the context in which it is immersed. War, in a world that has become globalized, inevitably generates consequences for our country."

Since Russia's war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met with outrage from the global community. A number of nations such as the EU, UK, and US have implemented a range of economic sanctions on Russia.

Fernandez also discussed a debt repayment deal that was recently reached with the IMF.

"We are taking a new step in the agreement with the IMF -- it is about an immense debt and without an agreement we will not be able to build certainties in Argentina," he said. "The agreement we reached with the IMF is the best that could be achieved and governing is an exercise in responsibility."

"The new deal is a refinancing of existing debt," he said. "Payments will start in 2026 and end in 2034."

Fernandez said "this agreement does not contemplate restrictions that affect our development," referring to pension reforms or Argentina's sovereignty.

He added that this week "it is in the hands of legislators to consider approving the agreement with the staff of the International Monetary Fund."

But Fernandez criticized the previous administration of Mauricio Macri for signing the 2018 loan, saying "Argentines have the right to know who was responsible for so many blunders.” Those remarks caused some opposition lawmakers to walk out of the session.

In September 2018, Argentina received the biggest IMF loan in history, $57 billion, because of a deep economic crisis.

The president also highlighted a number of investment projects aimed at improving transport services, education and the state of national routes.

He pledged to continue fighting organized crime and called for "judicial reform” in Argentina.

Fernandez also discussed the rights of minorities in the South American nation, insisting "we want to respect the rights of everyone," referring to indigenous and disabled communities and those with diverse gender identities.