Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a ‘strategic partnership’ with Cuba in the international arena in a phone call with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Kremlin has revealed.
They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations, days after there were fears that Russia might send its troops to Venezuela or Cuba if tensions escalate with the US.
This is against the background of Russia’s 100,000-strong force, along with tanks and missiles on its Ukrainian border, that has raised fears about a conflict in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a ‘strategic partnership’ with Cuba in the international arena in a phone call with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel (right with Putin on November 2, 2018 in Moscow)
Díaz-Canel said he and Putin had a ‘cordial and fruitful’ conversation on Monday morning, with both leaders discussing the ‘excellent state of relations’ between Cuba and Russia.
They also spoke about the ‘future development of bilateral collaboration’ in various fields, Díaz-Canel said, without expanding.
The call comes mere days after Cuba and Venezuela were dragged into the dispute between Russia and the West.
Sergei Ryabkov, Moscow’s Deputy Foreign Ministry, said that he couldn’t ‘neither confirm or exclude’ Russia’s possibility of sending military assets and personnel to Latin America. This is assuming the U.S. (and its allies) don’t curb their military activities at Russia’s door.
In an interview with Russian TV network RTVI the minister stated that “it all depends upon the action of our U.S. counterparts.” He cited Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning to Moscow about taking unspecified military-technical steps’ if the U.S. or its allies do not heed his demands.
Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national defense adviser dismissed statements regarding a Russian military deployment to Cuba or Venezuela.
He stated that “if Russia moves in this direction, we will deal with it decisively.”
Despite fears that Russia might invade, Ukrainian military volunteers took part in training exercises near Kiev this weekend.
According to U.S. officials, the possibility of deployments in Latin America has not been discussed during discussions between Russia and NATO members.
Russia sent 100,000 soldiers to Ukraine’s border, and also issued security requirements for the US and NATO Allies.
While the US is expected to respond by writing this week, high-level negotiations are still ongoing between the US and the alliance about the bulk of the listed items – which includes a ban against Ukraine’s joining as well as the withdrawal of troops of ex-Soviet state exiles –
America warned Russia to be swift and serious if they invade Ukraine. This would also include sanctions against Russia.
There are also reports that the US may be looking at military options in order to disarm Putin. This is not a direct confrontation with American forces.
Anger at war in Europe has led to an increase of Russian troops along the Ukraine-Russia border.
Pentagon officials presented one plan to Joe Biden during a summit at the weekend, which would see between 1,000 and 5,000 US troops deployed to Baltic states Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, which border Russian territory.
The troop number could be increased to 50,000. If the security situation worsens, new ships or aircraft deployments can also help.
According to the New York Times, this plan does not include American troops being deployed to Ukraine directly. However, Biden is believed to be reluctant to engage in another conflict after his disasterous withdrawal from Afghanistan last year.
Biden may make an immediate call about military measures this week.
Russia warned last month that the US’s escalating tensions over Ukraine could lead to a repeat of the 1962 Cuban missile crises.
Ryabkov replied, “You know, it might come to that,”
“If events continue the way they are, it is possible to see yourself suddenly in something like this.
He was speaking about the 1962 conflict between the United States (USA) and Soviet Union which led to nuclear war.
Cuban missile crisis resulted from Soviet nuclear missiles being placed on the Caribbean Island. The US imposed a naval blockade in order to keep Moscow ships out.
The conflict was settled when the Soviet leader Nikita Chrushchev accepted to destroy and eliminate the nuclear weapons, in exchange for the promise by President John F. Kennedy to not invade the Communist island again and to withdraw US missiles and bombers from Turkey.
Volunteers from civil society who make up the Ukrainian territory army train near Kiev every weekend
It comes as NATO chief Jens Stoltenburg confirmed yesterday that the alliance will be beefing up its own presence in the region, with additional ships and fighter jets deployed.
Denmark will send a frosty to the Baltic Sea, and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania.
Spain has sent ships to NATO’s maritime standing force, and is considering sending fighter planes to Bulgaria. France will send troops to Bulgaria.
Stoltenberg stated that NATO would ‘take all necessary steps to defend and protect all its allies’
He stated that he would respond to any threat to our security, and will do so by strengthening our collective defense.
Russia also added coal to the fire yesterday after Moscow announced the country will hold live-fire naval drills off the coast of Ireland next month.
Sea drills are being conducted by battleships approximately 150 miles offshore of Ireland’s southwest coast. This is within Ireland’s exclusive economic zone, but beyond its territorial waters.
Simon Coveney (Foreign Minister) revealed Monday that Russia told Ireland of the weekend drills, and said the warships are not welcome but His country “doesn’t have any power to prevent this from happening”.
UN Conventions on the Oceans allow military drills to be conducted within economic zones other than those of the United States, provided they do so in compliance with territorial waters.
The drill will form part of much broader Russian naval exercises involving 140 ships and 10,000 troops from all of its naval fleets that will take place in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, North Sea and Sea of Okhotsk from January until February.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the catalyst that brought the world to nuclear war.
Cuban missile crises brought the world closer to nuclear war than any other time in October 1962.
Fidel Castro was overthrown by America in a failed coup attempt. The Cuban dictator allowed the Soviet Union nuclear missiles to be deployed in Cuba. It put most Americans within easy reach of these warheads.
Russia can launch its missiles at Washington before Washington could retaliate if it so chooses.
John F Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev at a historic meeting one year prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
America has already sent ballistic missiles to Italy and Turkey, putting them in easy reach of Moscow.
On October 22, 1962 President John F Kennedy told Americans via television that Soviets had placed missiles upon Cuba. In retaliation, the US would build a blockade on the island.
The US would use military force to stop what was deemed a threat to its national security, he said. And the rest of the world watched with baited breath.
Another crucial moment occurred on October 24, 1962 when Soviet vessels heading to Cuba sped up towards the U.S. blockade enforcement ships. A breach of the blockade could have led to a military standoff but Soviet ships eventually backed off.
An invasion force of the United States was preparing for invasion of Cuba. However, they were finally stopped. Kennedy (pictured) was a good example of restraint, not attacking either the Soviets and Cubans.
A flashpoint which could have triggered all-out war was when an American reconnaissance plane was shot down on October 27, 1962.
An invasion force of the United States prepared to invade Cuba. However, they were ultimately stopped. Major Rudolf Anderson (35) is believed to be the U.S. only combat casualty from the Cuban missile crises.
Kennedy and Khrushchev kept in touch throughout the tension to prevent any military conflict between the superpowers. Khrushchev wrote Kennedy on October 26th 1962, offering to take down the Cuban missiles for an agreement by U.S. officials not to invade Cuba.
Khrushchev wrote the following day proposing to the USSR that it would remove its missiles from Cuba in exchange for the Americans removing their missile facilities in Turkey.
Secret negotiations took place between Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev (JFK) and Robert Kennedy (the Attorney-General), and the Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dvorrynin. The result was a deal. Robert McNamara the U.S. Secretary Of Defense stated after the incident that it would be his ‘last Saturday’ because tensions continued to rise.
As a condition of America promising not to invade Cuba, the Soviets were willing to pull their missiles. Secretly, the US pledged to take out obsolete missiles from Turkey. As a means of positive public relations, both sides declared victory.
Fidel Castro, Cuba’s Prime Minister, enjoys steak while holding an impromptu conference at The Theresa Hotel Harlem on his September 23rd 1960 visit.