Ukraine Closes Embassy in Cuba Amid Rising Tensions

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s government declared the closure of its embassy in Havana, Cuba. This decision comes as a response to Cuba’s support for Russia by sending thousands of mercenaries to participate in the ongoing territorial invasion.

In a related move, Ukraine voted at the United Nations against an annual resolution that symbolizes recognition of human rights violations committed by Cuba’s Communist Party. The resolution also condemns the United States for its trade restrictions with Cuba. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha described the vote as a way to stand against Cuba’s continual support for Russian aggression in Ukraine. He criticized the narrative promoted by Cuba regarding the U.S. embargo, calling it unproductive.

Historically, Ukraine and Cuba have had limited diplomatic relations since Ukraine gained independence in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union. Sibikha emphasized that Ukraine would withdraw its diplomats from Cuba, effectively hitting a low in their relations. He recalled that the Cuban President had wished success to President Putin in his aggressive campaign against Ukraine and noted that Ukraine’s current actions are not against the Cuban people but rather a formal condemnation of the Cuban government’s complicity with Russian forces.

Sibikha highlighted that Ukrainian intelligence had reported thousands of Cubans voluntarily joining Russian forces to fight in Ukraine. He expressed that this large-scale deployment is a serious issue of complicity and should be condemned firmly. Ukraine’s stance is to oppose such actions and uphold the principles set forth in the United Nations Charter.

Separately, Andriy Ermak, chief of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Cuba had become a significant asset for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. He stated that it is crucial to contest the expansion of authoritarian regimes like the Cuban government.

Seven countries, including the United States, opposed a UN resolution supporting Cuba’s Communist Party. Along with Ukraine, nations like Hungary, Argentina, Paraguay, and North Macedonia stood with the U.S. Traditionally, only Israel has been in favor of voting against such resolutions at the UN, indicating a shift in diplomatic alliances.

Additions to abstentions included countries like Albania, Ecuador, and Romania. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Walz expressed his appreciation towards Ukraine for their stance against the Cuban regime during the session.

For over a year, Ukraine has presented evidence of Cuban mercenaries being sent to assist Russia in its invasion. An example is a captured Cuban national who claimed he was misled into joining the war and found himself forced to train for combat in Russia. Interestingly, he noted that only a fraction of the Cubans involved truly understood why they were fighting.

Those who support the war are reportedly involved in promoting propaganda via Russian social media channels. During a recent UN session, Gutiérrez-Boronato noted a lack of Cuban diplomats in Ukraine, asserting that while Ukraine officially severed ties, the Cuban government had effectively left its diplomatic post while sending mercenaries to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian legislative body is home to the Free Cuba Caucus, aimed at fostering relationships with anti-communist Cuban activists. During a hearing, Representative Marian Zabrodsky mentioned intelligence suggesting Cuba had contributed around 20,000 mercenaries to Russia’s efforts in Ukraine. This finding matches reports asserted by Ukrainian military intelligence, raising concerns about the human rights implications of Cuba’s involvement.

The ongoing hiring of Cuban mercenaries for Russia is viewed as not only advantageous for Putin but poses significant risks regarding accountability and casualties. This situation continues to highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play amidst the conflict.