Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, and his Cuban counterpart, Alvaro López Miera, met, Tuesday, in Moscow to discuss joint collaboration.
During the meeting, Russia announced that it is prepared to offer assistance to Cuba, which is currently under a US-imposed economic blockade.
Sergei Shoigu stated that, “In conditions when the United States has been carrying out an illegal and illegitimate trade and economic blockade of Cuba for many decades, we are ready to help the Island of Freedom, lend a shoulder to our Cuban friends.”
On his part, Alvaro López Miera blamed the expansion of NATO to Russia’s borders by the US and its allies as the cause of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He described the US and its allies as fascists, as he called for US to be “held accountable for the consequences of it’s aggressive military doctrine beyond NATO’s borders which threatens peace, security and international stability.”
“The US statement to continue NATO expansion to Russia’s borders led to unpredictable consequences that led to this conflict and forced Russia to launch a special military operation. In this context, Russia plays a leading role in the fight against fascism, which they are now trying to spread in Europe.” Alvaro López Miera said.
He continued, “The United States and some of its allies have repeatedly used force, they have invaded sovereign countries to achieve political change and interfere in the internal affairs of countries that do not agree to their interests of domination, protecting their territorial integrity and independence. Cuba opposes such policy of double standards.
“History will require US to be held accountable for the consequences of it’s aggressive military doctrine beyond NATO’s borders which threatens peace, security and international stability.”
Diplomatic relations between Cuba and Russia have remained strong since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. Their alliance experienced a positive shift after Vladimir Putin took power in the year 2000. When Putin visited Cuba in December 2000, he partnered with Fidel Castro to request that the embargo on Cuba be lifted.
Russia continues to hold the position of Cuba’s primary creditor and both countries sustain a close-knit economic relationship. In the 2008 South Ossetian conflict, Cuba strongly supported Russia. Additionally, in the fall of the same year, they both intensified their collaborative efforts in the economic field.
There are those who believe that the continuous collaboration of Russia and Cuba is likely to further exacerbate tensions between Russia and the US while offering an opportunity for Cuba to potentially strengthen its ties with Russia.