The Argentine government has confirmed its readiness to resume bilateral talks with the UK regarding the sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, which Buenos Aires refers to as the Malvinas. According to Reuters, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno made this statement after a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keira Starmer reiterated that sovereignty over the islands belongs to the United Kingdom.
According to Kirno, Argentina once again declares its readiness to return to negotiations to find a “peaceful and definitive solution” to the sovereignty dispute and put an end to what Buenos Aires calls a “special colonial situation.” The British side, in turn, reaffirmed its unchanged position and emphasized the right of the islands’ inhabitants to self-determination.
The current surge in discussion arose against the backdrop of reports about an internal Pentagon memo that allegedly considered the possibility of revising the U.S. position on the Falkland Islands as a means of pressuring London over disagreements regarding the war with Iran. Following this, the British government separately stated that its position on the islands had not changed.
The situation is significant not only in diplomatic discourse but also in a geoeconomic context. The Falkland Islands have a small population but retain strategic importance in the South Atlantic due to their fishing zone, control of maritime routes, hydrocarbon development potential, and the UK’s military presence. According to official data from the island government, fishing remains the largest sector of the economy and accounted for approximately 58% of the territory’s nominal GDP as of 2024.
The history of the conflict over the islands dates back to the 19th century. Argentina has considered them its territory since the early 1800s, but the United Kingdom established control over the archipelago in 1833 and has rejected Argentina’s claims ever since. The most acute episode was the armed conflict of 1982, when Argentina attempted to retake the islands by force, but after a brief war, British troops reestablished control over the archipelago.
Since then, the dispute has remained unresolved but has been played out primarily on the diplomatic front.
The United Kingdom relies on the principle of self-determination of the islands’ inhabitants, who in a 2013 referendum voted almost unanimously to retain the status of a British Overseas Territory. Argentina does not recognize this approach and continues to insist on negotiations regarding sovereignty.
Thus, Buenos Aires’s latest statement does not signal an immediate breakthrough in negotiations, but it does indicate that the Falklands issue may once again return to the international agenda amid broader turbulence in relations between Western allies.
Argentina has suspended the practical launch of its citizenship-by-investment program following the cancellation of an international tender to select a consultant tasked with developing and implementing its operational model. The country’s Ministry of Economy has canceled the tender for consulting and technical services for the Citizenship by Investment program, according to official tender documents.
This does not involve the repeal of the program’s legal framework, but rather a suspension of its launch. The basis for the mechanism was previously established by Argentine President Javier Milei’s Decree No. 524/2025. The document allowed foreigners who had made a “significant investment” to apply for Argentine citizenship through a special agency under the Ministry of Economy.
To prepare for the practical launch, the authorities announced an international tender in December 2025 for “consulting and technical services” for the Citizenship by Investment program. It is this tender that has now been canceled.
Sources familiar with investment migration note that following the cancellation of the tender, the program’s parameters—including final investment requirements and launch dates—have once again become uncertain.
It was previously expected that Argentina would become one of the first countries in Latin America with a distinct citizenship-by-investment model. However, the launch will now likely be postponed at least until the organizational structure is revised and a new operational model for the program is selected.
Sunflower processing in Argentina in August 2025 increased to 488 thousand tons compared to 330 thousand tons in the same month of 2024, according to the APK-Inform agency, citing data from Oil World. At the same time, the figure was only slightly lower than in July of this year (491,000 tons).
According to experts, processing in September and October will continue to significantly exceed last year’s figures, as Argentine processors are taking advantage of the decline in sunflower harvests in Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and Bulgaria.
Argentine sunflower oil is currently the most competitive on the world market and is sold at significant discounts compared to products from the Black Sea region. Thus, exports in August amounted to 172,000 tons, compared to 116,000 tons a year earlier. The main destinations are India (90,000 tons compared to 21,000 tons a year earlier) and Iraq (14,000 tons compared to 31,000 tons).
According to data from the Argentine Ministry of Agriculture, the sunflower harvest in 2025 exceeded forecasts and amounted to 5.3 million tons, compared to 3.9 million tons in 2024. The country’s authorities expect to maintain high production levels in 2026 by increasing the area under cultivation by 10% annually.
Analysts at the Experts Club note that the growth in processing and exports from Argentina is putting pressure on the global sunflower oil market, lowering prices and increasing competition.
For Ukraine, one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of oil, this could mean a reduction in export revenues and the need to actively seek new markets, as well as to focus on deeper processing and improving product quality.
The Argentine government has temporarily abolished high export duties on grain, soybeans, and soybean products, which previously ranged from 25% to 31%, until October 31, 2025, according to GrainTrade. The move is aimed at increasing foreign exchange earnings and stabilizing the national currency amid the economic crisis.
The political context of the decision is linked to the defeat of President Javier Milei’s party in local elections in the province of Buenos Aires. This has heightened investor doubts about the government’s stability and caused the peso to devalue. The central bank has spent more than $1.1 billion of its reserves over the past three days to support the currency market. In total, Argentina has already used $20 billion in funding from the IMF this year.
The abolition of tariffs will sharply increase the supply of soybeans, soybean meal, and oil on the global market. On September 22, November soybean futures in Chicago fell by 1.5% to $371.1/t, and over the week, the decline was 3.3%.
Experts predict further pressure on prices, especially if trade negotiations between the US and China stall.
China, which diversified its imports after the trade war with the US, increased its purchases of Argentine soybeans to a six-year high of 8.81 million tons last year. This reduced domestic processing: in July, about 31% of enterprises were idle, and now the figure is even higher, according to the CIARA-CEC exporters’ association.
For Ukraine, Argentina’s decision means:
increased competition in key markets in Europe and Southeast Asia;
lower export prices for soybeans and soybean products;
pressure on domestic prices from processors due to cheaper soybean meal and oil from Latin America.
On Tuesday, the Kyiv Academic Puppet Theater hosted a gala concert dedicated to the legendary Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, entitled “Tango Freedom.” The event was timed to coincide with the 215th anniversary of the May Revolution in the Argentine Republic, an event that marked the beginning of the struggle for Argentina’s independence in 1810.
The celebration was organized by the Embassy of Argentina in Ukraine with the participation of representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, the diplomatic corps, artists, and the cultural community. The guests of honor at the event were First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva, as well as deputies, ministerial officials, and ambassadors of foreign states.
“Dear compatriots, welcome to the celebration of the 215th anniversary of the May Revolution of 1810, which marked the beginning of the path to our independence. Today, we honor that same spirit of freedom here in Ukraine, in a country that is defending its sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and its right to choose its own path with impressive courage and dignity,” said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to Ukraine, Ms. Elena Leticia Mikusinski, addressing the guests.
The ambassador also quoted a statement by the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs:
“Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, we have always stood by Ukraine. We have supported its legitimate right to defend its territory and sovereignty. We will continue to support Ukraine,” the statement said.
In his speech, Serhiy Kyslytsya drew historical parallels between the revolutionary movement in Argentina in the early 19th century and Ukraine’s current struggle for freedom.
“215 years ago, a powerful impulse was born in Buenos Aires – the May Revolution. In 1810, Argentinians chose freedom, dignity, and independence. Today, Ukraine is fighting for these very principles. That is why the slogan of this event is so close to our hearts: Tango de la libertad,” he emphasized.
The diplomat also recalled that Argentina was the first country in Latin America to recognize Ukraine’s independence in 1991, and even earlier, in 1921, recognized the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
“Today, Argentina stands with Ukraine once again in condemning Russian aggression and providing humanitarian aid, in taking a clear stance for the truth and freedom of Ukraine. This is not just diplomacy. This is true friendship. Amistad valiente. Amistad verdadera,” Kyslytsya emphasized.
The cultural program included the performance of the national anthems of Ukraine and Argentina by Yana Tatara, a buffet with traditional Argentine empanadas and Malbec wine, as well as performances by tango artists Oleg Syryka, Natalia Zavadskaya, Dmitry Kuyun, and Natalia Luzan.
The highlight of the evening was the “Tango Freedom” concert dedicated to Astor Piazzolla, a composer who radically changed the world’s perception of tango by combining it with elements of jazz and classical music in the nuevo tango style.
“Tonight we will witness the unity of wonderful Ukrainian musicians who will perform the works of our beloved Astor Piazzolla. May the same music always sound in this tango of two nations — the music of freedom,” said Ms. Mikusinski.
The May Revolution (Spanish: Revolución de Mayo) took place in Buenos Aires on May 18–25, 1810. As a result, the Spanish colonial administration was removed, and the national government — the First Junta — became the first step towards Argentina’s independence, which was declared on July 9, 1816.
Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) was an outstanding Argentine composer and bandoneon player, founder of the nuevo tango style, which combined traditional tango with elements of jazz, classical music, and avant-garde. His work is known throughout the world and is considered one of the symbols of Argentina’s cultural identity.
ARGENTINA, Elena Leticia Mikusinski, Kyslytsia, May Revolution, UKRAINE, танго
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a telephone conversation with Argentine President Javier Miley, during which the parties discussed the development of economic cooperation, in particular, the relaunch of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the start of intergovernmental consultations.
“Javier Miley assured that Ukraine can continue to count on Argentina’s full support,” the Ukrainian head of state’s website reported on Friday.
Zelensky thanked Argentina for participating in the inaugural Peace Summit and joining the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, the international Crimea Platform and the Ramstein format. He stressed that Ukraine needs the preservation of the Contact Group on Defense, as well as joint steps by Argentina, the U.S. and all allies to weaken the Russian dictator and end the war with a just and lasting peace.
In a Friday evening video message, the Ukrainian president noted his Argentine counterpart’s results in economic reforms and called from “the right example of economic growth.”
“We will increase our cooperation with Argentina – both economic, political and security,” the Ukrainian head of state said.
Zelensky invited Milay to come to Ukraine on a visit.
