Putin promised to help Cuba in the fight against illegal sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Cuban Prime Minister Nicolas Marrero Cruz help in the fight against illegal sanctions. The Russian leader announced this at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Cuba, transmits Kremlin press office.

“We know that the illegal sanctions that Cuba has been living under have been going on for decades, yet the Cuban people are dealing with it. For our part, we will do everything to ensure that our economic cooperation helps to overcome these difficulties introduced from outside,” he said.

Putin also noted the allied nature of bilateral relations between Russia and Cuba and expressed hope for their further development in a number of areas, including energy and tourism.

In turn, Marrero called the meeting with Putin “a great opportunity” and reaffirmed Cuba’s position on Western sanctions against Russia. “I want to assure our firm position, the position of Cuba, against unilateral Western sanctions against Russia. I also want to assure you that we are against the attempts of the West to isolate Russia from international organizations, while creating such Russophobia that it is as if everything that comes from Russia is all bad,” he said.

Earlier, presidential aide for international affairs Yuri Ushakov said that Marrero was in Russia on a “not typical for today” official visit, which will last 12 days. The Cuban Prime Minister arrived in Russia on June 6. During this time, he has already met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin. He is also scheduled to meet with State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov informedthat Marrero will also visit SPIEF.