Ukraine to close its embassy in Cuba, says FM
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine has decided to close its embassy in Havana and downgrade diplomatic relations with Cuba. The reason is Cuba's support for Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Sybiha said that today, Ukraine voted against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an end to the US blockade of Cuba, having serious reasons for doing so.
In particular, the Cuban President previously wished Russian leader Vladimir Putin "success" in his aggressive war against Ukraine.
"We heard it well. This year, we decided to close our embassy in Havana and downgrade our diplomatic ties. Our vote is not against the Cuban people - we respect their right to live in prosperity," the Foreign Minister stated.
He added that Ukraine's vote against the resolution was aimed at opposing the Cuban authorities' inaction in response to the mass conscription of Cuban citizens into the Russian army.
Thousands of them signed contracts, joining the ranks of soldiers directly participating in combat operations on Ukrainian soil.
"The unwillingness of Havana to stop massive deployment of its nationals in the Russian war against Ukraine constitutes complicity in aggression and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Ukraine will always oppose such a practice and defend the purposes and principles of the UN Chart," Sybiha emphasized.
Ukraine voted against lifting the US embargo on Cuba at the UN
Today, October 29, the UN General Assembly considered the annual resolution on ending the US embargo on Cuba. For the first time, Ukraine voted against it.
The reason is that the Cuban government is a strategic asset for Russia, actively supporting its war and aggression against a sovereign European state.
Additionally, thousands of Cuban soldiers are fighting against Ukraine as part of Russian forces, gaining combat experience, while Havana is increasingly involved in military and intelligence activities, posing a threat to international security.
Russia is increasing the presence of foreign fighters on the front lines, relying increasingly on Cuban mercenaries.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, their numbers could reach 25,000, making Cubans the largest foreign group fighting on Russia's side and shifting the balance of power in the ongoing conflict.
The administration of US President Donald Trump instructed American diplomats to push for maintaining the embargo against Cuba, citing the involvement of over 5,000 Cubans in combat operations alongside Russia against Ukraine.
At the same time, Cuba officially denied the US accusations of being involved in the war in Ukraine, stating that such claims have no evidence and are aimed at discrediting the country.
