Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 18, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleRussian Foreign Minister Lavrov is set to meet his Cuban counterpart in Moscow to discuss US blockade and strengthen diplomatic ties.
MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday that Moscow was urging the U.S. not to impose a full naval blockade on the communist-run island and was advocating negotiations instead.
Hailing Cuba as "a brotherly nation," Lavrov made the comments at the start of talks in Moscow with Rodriguez. The Cuban minister was expected to hold more talks later on Wednesday with President Vladimir Putin.
"Together with most members of the international community, we call on the United States to show common sense and responsibility and refrain from plans for a naval blockade of the Island of Freedom," said Lavrov.
"We categorically reject the unfounded accusations against Russia and Cuba and our cooperation, which allegedly pose a threat to the interests of the United States or anyone else."
Russia has said it is doing what it can to help Cuba weather the U.S. attempt to starve the island of oil, but has been cagey about saying exactly how - though Moscow's ambassador to Cuba said this month that he "assumed" that Russia would continue to supply it with oil.
Lavrov said any differences between Washington and Havana should be resolved through what he called "mutually-respectful dialogue" and said that Cuba was ready for "honest negotiations."
(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn)
The main topic is the diplomatic talks between Russia and Cuba in Moscow, focusing on the US blockade against Cuba.
The talks aim to address the US blockade and strengthen diplomatic relations between Russia and Cuba.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Cuban counterpart are the key figures involved in the talks.
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