Dave Sherwood

HAVANA (Reuters – Cuba, a close ally, strongly criticised America for imposing NATO toward the Russian Federation’s borders and demanded a diplomatic solution.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the deployment of troops in two regions that have been annexed to eastern Ukraine. He did this after they had recognized them as independent. New sanctions were imposed by the West, including those from the United States.

Cuba’s Foreign Ministry stated late Tuesday night that America, Havana’s long-standing rival, has intensified threats to Putin and aggravated the crisis. Although the Cuban foreign ministry did not mention Russian advancements in eastern Ukraine’s separatist areas, it was clear that they were there.

The Cuban declaration stated that the US government had been warning Russia about invasions and manipulating international relations for several weeks. “It supplied weapons, military technology and sent troops to many countries of the region. It also applied unilateral, unjust sanctions and threatened others.”

Cuba, a communist-run country, has long been an ally for Russia and the Soviet Union. There have also been close economic relations.

Cuba made the statement hours after Russia announced that it would postpone Cuba’s debt payments until 2027. Cuba’s Foreign Ministry stated last week that the two nations would strengthen ties and look into collaboration in transport, energy and industry. This was after a Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov visited Cuba.

Cuban officials on Tuesday called for a constructive and respectful dialog to end the Ukraine crisis.

The statement stated that the United States and NATO should seriously address “well-founded” claims of security guarantees from the Russian Federation. It also said they would defend themselves if necessary.

The statement added that “The United States is determined to enforce the progressive expansion NATO toward the Russian Federation’s borders constitutes a danger to the country’s national security as well as to international and regional peace and stability.”