With warships docked in Havanian port, Putin renews Cuba ties, promising energy aid and oil cooperation
8:03 PM EDT, June 15, 2024
Vladimir Putin has decided to renew cooperation with Cuba. He has sent his ships there for alleged exercises and promised Havana assistance in the energy sector.
According to the Argentine portal Infobae, Russia promised Saturday assistance in restoring Cuba's capability to produce electricity. This issue has disrupted economic activity on the island and sparked protests.
According to the service journalists, this is another sign of tightening the alliance between Moscow and Havana.
Sergey Tsivilev, the Russian Minister of Energy, committed to assisting Cuba. He met in Moscow with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, reports Infobae, citing official statements issued by the Russian Ministry of Energy.
The statements also announced an intensification of cooperation in oil and gas.
Russian ships in port
Currently, four Russian warships are stationed in Cuba, including a nuclear submarine and a frigate. Their presence near US territory is interpreted as a show of force in response to American aid to Ukraine.
On Friday, the Cuban regime criticized the G7 leaders' decision to grant Ukraine a $50 billion loan. The loan will be repaid from the interest generated by frozen Russian state assets.
Despite official pacifist and anti-imperialist rhetoric and traditional friendship with Ukraine, Cuba has echoed Kremlin arguments since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In particular, it has accused the United States and the West of causing the conflict and fueling it through arms supplies to Kyiv.
