Russian President Vladimir Putin received Cuban regime Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez at the Kremlin on Wednesday and reaffirmed that Russia will "always" stand by Havana in the face of what he described as the United States' "energy blockade."
During the meeting, Putin declared that Russia has "always" been "by Cuba's side in its struggle for independence and the right to follow its own path," and added that this is a "special period, with new sanctions," to which —he said— Moscow does not accept "anything like that."
The visit of the Cuban chancellor took place against the backdrop of an energy crisis that worsened in January, leading the Cuban regime to implement a package of emergency measures to restrict fuel sales, reduce public transportation, and adopt a four-day workweek in state enterprises.
In that context, Rodríguez expressed gratitude for the "Russian solidarity" shown —according to the text— by the president and the Russian government "in a firm and continuous manner."
However, Moscow did not publicly commit to sending fuel or “any other type of assistance” on that occasion, as reported by El Tiempo.
In urgent need of help
The official traveled to Russia in search of assistance, and in addition to the meeting with Putin, he held discussions with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, who used a critical tone towards Washington and described Cuba as "a brother state," reiterating "solidarity with our friends," but without any specific material promises.
Lavrov urged the United States to "act with common sense" and refrain from what he called a "military and maritime blockade" against the "island of freedom."
In his conversations with the head of Russian diplomacy, Rodríguez affirmed that Cuba would not change its political course under pressure from the United States and accused Washington of contributing to the "deterioration of the international order," as well as charging it with "operations of looting and occupation of natural resources," "total transgression of international law," and "ignorance of the United Nations."
At the end of his presentation, Bruno Rodríguez stated that "the relations between the Federation of Russia and the Republic of Cuba are historical, fraternal, special, strategic, bilateral cooperation projects are progressing well, and I am sure that despite any circumstances, we will continue to advance in the objectives that we have mutually set."
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