Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a diplomatic move that has raised eyebrows internationally, Mexico has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the October 1 inauguration of President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. The invitation was reported by the Russian newspaper Izvestia on Wednesday, citing the Mexican embassy in Russia.
According to Izvestia, a representative of the Mexican embassy confirmed that an invitation had been sent to President Putin. “The Russian president will decide whether he will take part in the ceremony himself or appoint another high-ranking official to do so on his behalf,” the representative added. The Mexican Foreign Ministry later clarified to Reuters that diplomatic notes had been sent to all nations with which Mexico maintains relations, as well as international organizations of which it is a member, inviting them to participate in the ceremony.
This invitation comes in the wake of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023. The ICC charged him with war crimes, specifically for the illegal deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. While Russia is not a member of the ICC, Mexico is, placing the Mexican government in a potentially awkward position on the international stage.
Despite these complexities, Mexico and Russia have been strengthening their bilateral ties. Putin congratulated Sheinbaum on her electoral victory in June, highlighting Mexico as Russia’s “historically friendly partner in Latin America.” This friendship was further emphasized when a Russian military unit participated in Mexico’s Independence Day parade in September 2023, a move that drew criticism from various quarters, including from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Critics argued that by allowing Russian troops to participate, Mexico was inadvertently giving a platform to the forces responsible for the invasion of Ukraine.
The invitation to Putin underscores Mexico’s nuanced approach to international diplomacy, balancing its relationships with major world powers while navigating the complexities of global political dynamics. As the world watches, the decision of whether Putin will personally attend the inauguration or send a representative remains to be seen.
Claudia Sheinbaum, who will be the first woman to hold Mexico’s presidency, is set to take office amid a backdrop of both domestic and international challenges. Her administration will likely face scrutiny over its handling of foreign relations, particularly with Russia, given the current geopolitical tensions.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a diplomatic move that has raised eyebrows internationally, Mexico has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the October 1 inauguration of President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. The invitation was reported by the Russian newspaper Izvestia on Wednesday, citing the Mexican embassy in Russia.
