The diplomat made these comments to the TASS news agency on Wednesday regarding the news that a Russian oil tanker had entered Cuban waters.

“This is a victory for common sense. During the decades in which the United States has exerted ever-increasing pressure on our sister Cuba, we have never hidden our intention to unconditionally support Havana and provide it with assistance,” Ryabkov noted.

“We act, of course, taking into account humanitarian considerations, but also in accordance with the understanding that Cuba is our closest partner, our most reliable partner in the Caribbean, and we simply have no right to abandon it. Aid to Cuba will continue,” he assured.

According to the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, now, in the context of an extremely acute energy crisis and a situation in which the country is suffering the serious consequences of the US blockade, “this aid is more necessary than ever.”

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