Ukraine has decided to close its embassy in Havana and downgrade diplomatic relations with Cuba. The reason for this, as stated, was the Russian Federation’s “complicity in aggression” – in particular, the Cuban authorities’ inaction regarding the mass recruitment of their citizens into the Russian army. This was announced by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.
The announcement of the embassy closure came after Ukraine voted against a UN General Assembly resolution to lift the US embargo against Cuba. The minister noted that this position of Ukraine is “not sudden”.
“We remember the wishes of “success” by the President of Cuba to Putin in his aggressive war. This year we decided to close our embassy in Havana and lower the level of our diplomatic relations”, – said Sibiga.
He emphasized that the main reason for this decision was “the inaction of the Cuban authorities in response to the mass recruitment of Cuban citizens into the Russian occupation army”. According to the minister, thousands of Cubans are participating in hostilities on the side of the Russian Federation. Sybiga also noted that Ukraine’s position at the UN was not directed against the Cuban people, but against the actions of the Havana authorities, which Kyiv regards as “complicity in aggression.”
The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Cuba was opened in Havana in September 1993. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on March 12, 1992.
