Russia and Cuba join forces in naval exercises as the US watches closely
According to a US official, although the US government does not see the arrival of a small number of planes and ships as a threat, the US Navy will be monitoring the exercises.
Russian frigate arrives in Havana, Cuba, in 2019 - Photo Reproduction/Ramon Espinosa/AP
In a strategic move that has attracted global attention, Russia and Cuba begin joint naval exercises in Caribbean waters. On Thursday (6), the Cuban government announced that Russian warships are scheduled to arrive off the island's coast next week. According to the Cubans, these vessels do not have nuclear weapons and do not represent a regional threat, but the activity will be monitored by Washington.
A United States government official said on Wednesday (5) that Russia planned to send combat ships to the Caribbean region to conduct naval exercises. This American official had previously mentioned the possibility of ships going to both Cuba and Venezuela. According to a statement from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit complies with international regulations and is part of an operation between two countries with a long-standing friendship.
The statement explicitly states that none of the boats are carrying nuclear weapons, therefore the stop in our country does not pose any threat to the region.
Historical and Geopolitical Context
The relationship between Russia and Cuba dates back to the Cold War, when the then Soviet Union maintained a close alliance with the Caribbean island, culminating in the Missile Crisis of 1962. Although relations cooled after the collapse of the USSR in 1991, recent years have witnessed a rapprochement, driven by economic interests and shared strategies.
The recent intensification of military collaboration between the two countries can be seen as a response to increasing pressure and sanctions imposed by the US on both nations. For Cuba, which faces a long-standing economic embargo, and for Russia, targeted by sanctions over its actions in Ukraine and other international issues, this alliance offers a form of resistance and a show of strength.
Naval Exercises Details
Since the start of the war in February 2022, The relationship between the Russian government and the US has deteriorated due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. American authorities say that it is common for Russian ships to sail through the Atlantic Ocean, however, since the start of the war, such activity has intensified. The US does not consider the arrival of a small number of planes and ships a threat, however, the US Navy will monitor the exercises, as reported by a US official on Wednesday. According to a Cuban statement, the Russian ships are expected to arrive at the port of Havana between June 12 and 17.
War in Ukraine
Since the beginning of the war, Western countries have supplied Ukraine with weapons to defend itself against the Russian invasion. However, recently there has been a change. Now, the governments of these countries allowed Ukrainian forces to use these weapons to attack Russian territory. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern about this decision, calling it a serious escalation. He warned that if the weapons are used, it will likely be with the use of militaries and systems from Western countries.
United States President Joe Biden has not authorized Ukraine to use all US-supplied weapons to attack Russian territory. ATACMS missiles, with a range of up to 300 km, cannot be used against Russia. Putin has stated that if American ATACMS missiles or the United Kingdom's Storm Shadow missiles are used, Moscow will respond more aggressively.
“We will improve our air defenses to destroy them. Secondly, if someone thinks that it is possible to send weapons like these to a war zone to attack our territory and create problems for us, then why wouldn't we have the right to send our weapons of the same class to regions of the world where Can attacks be made against installations of countries that do this against Russia? The answer may be asymmetrical. If we see that these countries are being drawn into a war against the Russian Federation, we give ourselves the right to act equally,' said the Russian president.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that France will supply Mirage fighters to Ukraine, with the aim of helping to defend the country against the Russian offensive. The announcement came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski's visit to France, along with other global leaders, to celebrate D-Day. Zelensky's visit was also intended to seek more support from the West, at a time when Ukrainian troops are fighting to prevent a Russian attack near the city of Kharkiv, considered Europe's biggest conflict since World War II.
On Thursday, Macron said in an interview with French public television that Ukraine will have new cooperation with France and may acquire Mirage 2005 fighter planes to protect itself against Russian attacks. It was not specified how many aircraft will be sent. Additionally, France will begin training Ukrainian pilots. Macron reiterated that Ukraine must be allowed to use weapons supplied by Western allies to attack Russian military targets and "neutralize the points from which the country is being attacked."
