The President of Argentina has called for the Falkland Islands to be returned to his country through diplomatic means, despite the UK insisting that the archipelago’s sovereignty is “not up for negotiation”. Javier Milei said citizens of the South Atlantic islands group, which has been under British administration since 1833, should be able to choose their nationality, implying that they would “vote with their feet” and choose to be recognised as Argentinian. The Falkland Islands have long been subject to sovereignty claims by Argentinia, with the nation’s invasion of the archipelago sparking the Falklands War in 1982.

Unlike his predecessors, Mr Milei appears to have backed a democratic solution to the ongoing contest, however, calling for a vote to be held on Veterans’ Day in April, marking 43 years since Britain emerged triumphant from the 74-day conflict.

“There’s no way I would give up on or relinquish territory, but it is clear that individuals will end up voting with their feet,” he told The Telegraph.

“And if you replicate such living conditions that will ensure high standards of living for them, it may well be that they are more willing to recognise that territory as Argentine.”

“Since I consider that the solution is to be sought through peaceful and diplomatic solutions, I think that the best way to show the willingness on the part of Argentina is to show that we also have a commercially adult relationship,” he added.

Mr Milei also claimed that his government is in talks with the UK about lifting an arms export ban that has been in force since the Falklands War, introduced to limit “Argentine military capability”.

He said: “There are no world powers without military power. There is no country that counts in the international context if they can’t defend their borders.”

A UK government spokesperson hit back at both the arms export and territory surrender claims, insisting that “sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is not up for negotiation, and we will defend its right to self-determination”.

“In 2013, the islanders held a referendum on their future, with an overwhelming majority choosing to remain part of the UK,” they added.

“There are no specific talks with Argentina about the UK relaxing its arms export controls.

“More broadly, we look forward to deepending our cooperation with Argentina across areas including trade, science and culture to deliver growth for the British people.”

Mr Milei also said he is planning to visit Britain in April or May next year and would like to meet both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage – potentially making him the first Argentine leader to visit the UK since 1998.