Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in the Kremlin, where he denounced new US restrictions on Cuba as 'unacceptable'.
According to Russian state-owned news agency TASS, Putin stated, 'This is a special period, with new sanctions... We do not accept anything like this.' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also urged the US not to impose a full naval blockade on the island.
Lavrov called on Washington to 'show sound judgement and a responsible approach, and refrain from plans to impose a naval blockade' on Cuba, adding that Moscow 'categorically rejects' the notion that cooperation between Russia and Cuba poses a threat to the US or other countries.
Rodriguez expressed concern about Washington's actions, which he said threatened the sovereignty of all countries, and stated that Cuba will continue to 'resolutely move forward in protecting its independence and sovereignty'.
The White House said it wants to see 'dramatic changes very soon' in Cuba, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters, 'They are a regime that is falling. Their country is collapsing and that's why we believe it's in their best interest to make very dramatic changes very soon.'
Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said Moscow values its relations with Cuba and intends to 'further develop them, of course, during difficult times, by providing appropriate assistance to our friends.'
Source: Al Jazeera
