Video: Putin slams U.S. sanctions on Cuba as ‘illegal, inhumane’
Russian President, Vladimir Putin
Abdullateef Fowewe
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned recent United States sanctions on Cuba as “illegal and inhumane” during a meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, reaffirming Russia’s longstanding support for the island nation amid tightening American restrictions.
In opening remarks at the Kremlin, Putin highlighted the deep historical ties between Moscow and Havana, forged during the Cold War era.
“Our countries are bound by a special relationship, one that has developed historically. We have always stood by Cuba in its struggle for independence,” Putin stated.
He praised Cuba’s resilience, noting, “We know how difficult it has been all these years, through all the decades of Cuba’s independence, for the Cuban people. And now a special period. Heavy sanctions. You know how we feel about this. We do not accept anything of this sort.”
Putin, addressing Rodríguez as a special envoy of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro, extended best wishes and expressed confidence in advancing bilateral ties.
“As for bilateral relations, they are developing also along the whole on a positive track,” he said, adding that the two nations would jointly celebrate the centenary of Fidel Castro this year.
The remarks come as U.S. sanctions, intensified in early 2026 over human rights and migration issues, have worsened Cuba’s energy shortages.
Russia has historically provided discounted oil and economic aid to offset these pressures, though analysts note the latest pledges appear largely symbolic amid Moscow’s own geopolitical challenges.
