Russia deputy FM hails 'special' relations on Cuba visit

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Havana: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov arrived in Havana on Thursday, for a high-profile visit to reaffirm Moscow’s strategic alliance with Cuba. During a meeting with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Ryabkov emphasised the ‘special nature’ of their bilateral ties, stating that Russia would never ‘betray Cuba’ or leave the island to its fate.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tension between Havana and Washington. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on the island through a de facto energy blockade, threatening tariffs on any nation that sells oil to Cuba. 

This has led to a severe energy crisis, which worsened significantly in January. In defiance of these threats, a Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, delivered 730,000 barrels of oil to Cuba in late March. Ryabkov confirmed that further ‘humanitarian’ shipments and economic support are under consideration to bolster Cuba’s energy security.

Díaz-Canel expressed his gratitude for Russia’s ‘one hundred percent solidarity,’ using the meeting to send a message of support to President Vladimir Putin. The talks also focused on long-term socio-economic development through 2030 and close coordination in the global arena. 

As part of a broader push for a multipolar world, Ryabkov declared that Russia has no intention of scaling back its presence in the Western Hemisphere, regardless of pressure from Washington.