Banana threats worked: Ecuador will not give old military equipment to Ukraine

Ecuador refuses to transfer equipment to Ukraine/Unsplash/Collage 24 Channel

Ecuadorian authorities said they would not transfer their equipment to countries in armed conflict. This also applies to Ukraine.

Let us note that a few days ago it was reported that Ecuador agreed to transfer military equipment to Ukraine worth approximately $200 million in exchange for new American weapons for the same amount. Probably the reason was threats from Russia – they promised to block the import of bananas.

There will be no transfer of equipment

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld said that the country will not send military equipment to Ukraine or any other country that is involved in an international armed conflict. According to her, there is clear guidance on this matter.

Ecuador is part of the UN Security Council. As its member, we contribute to the resolution of conflicts, always respecting international law and the peaceful resolution of contradictions,” Sommerfeld emphasized.

What preceded this

• In January 2024, Ecuador entered into agreements with the United States. The South American country was supposed to give Ukraine Grads, Osa air defense systems and Mi-17 helicopters, and in return the United States promised to transfer an “unspecified number” of Black Hawk helicopters.
• Russian authorities was outraged that she was not consulted on these issues and began to threaten sanctions. In particular, the aggressor country wanted to ban the import of bananas. According to Russia, if the equipment really were scrap metal, then the United States would hardly agree to the exchange.
• Already on February 17, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a meeting with Ecuadorian leader Daniel Noboa . Immediately after this, Russia decided not to block the import of bananas from Ecuador. But, as Russian media wrote, the President of Ecuador promised to cancel the agreement on the transfer of equipment.