QUITO, Ecuador (AP) —A diplomatic rift between Ecuador and Russia appeared to intensify over the weekend after the European nation decided to ban some imports of bananas from Ecuador. The two countries have been at loggerheads recently after Ecuador decided to transfer some of its old Russian military equipment to the United States, in exchange for $200 million in new military gear. Ecuador is the world’s leading banana exporter, with sales worth around $3.5 billion in 2022. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesRussia’s decision to ban some banana imports came after President Daniel Noboa announced in January that Ecuador would transfer several tons of old Russian-made military equipment to the United States. Russia’s foreign ministry protested Noboa’s decision, saying that it violated a contract which stipulated that Ecuador could not sell the equipment to third parties without Russia’s consent.

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Persons: Daniel Noboa, Noboa, Noboa’s, Carlos Estarellas, ” Estarellas, Richard Salazar, ACORBANEC, ”, Russia’s, “, ” Salazar, hadn’t Locations: QUITO, Ecuador, Russia, loggerheads, United States, Ecuadorian