Russian Foreign Ministry opposes US blockade of Cuba

Russia supports the full and immediate lifting of the U.S. economic, trade and financial blockade of Cuba. This statement was made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on December 18.

According to her, the pressure measures taken by the United States on Havana are illegal and "grossly violate the fundamental principles of the UN Charter."

"We strongly condemn this inhumane illegitimate practice," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

Zakharova noted that the US decision to keep Cuba on the list of countries sponsors of terrorism is "an artificial reason to justify an illegitimate policy of economic strangulation of an independent state." She added that in order to achieve a change of power in Cuba, the U.S. is ready to use any methods.

Earlier, on November 2, the Cuban Embassy in Russia told Izvestia that Havana was open to dialog with the United States on any issues, including the U.S. sanctions regime.

Prior to that, on October 30, the UN General Assembly once again adopted a resolution against the ongoing US economic blockade against Cuba by a majority vote. Havana has been under U.S. restrictions since the 1960s.

Specifically, the resolution calls for "an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba." The motion received 187 votes in favor. Only the US and Israel voted against the resolution, while Moldova abstained.