Lavrov thanks Cuba for 'full understanding' on Ukraine invasion
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00:00 It's the latest in a string of visits to boost political and economic ties in Latin America.
00:06 In Havana, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov laid a wreath during a memorial for
00:11 a national independence hero.
00:13 And met with his Cuban counterpart, where he thanked the country for its support concerning
00:17 Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
00:22 We greatly appreciate the fact that from the very beginning of the special military operation,
00:27 our Cuban friends very clearly outlined their position and expressed full understanding
00:33 in the reasons that led to the current situation.
00:36 His visit to the island nation is an opportunity for Moscow to show support for Cuba, which
00:41 is grappling with its worst economic crisis in three decades and, like Russia, is facing
00:47 US sanctions.
00:49 Earlier this week, Lavrov also visited Brazil, Venezuela and Nicaragua, where he was not
00:55 shy to blast US expansionism.
00:58 When in Caracas, he called for a union of countries to counter what he called the blackmail
01:03 of Western sanctions, an idea echoed by his Venezuelan counterpart.
01:09 We continue insisting to the US and Europe that all sanctions should be lifted.
01:14 Until then, we won't be able to speak of a situation of normalcy in relations between
01:18 countries.
01:20 Cuba's firm relationship with Moscow dates back to the 1960s, where it joined the bloc
01:25 of Soviet-led socialist countries, receiving many vital imports in exchange for sugar.