‘None of the ships carry nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region,’ the communist regime said.
Russian warships will be deployed to the Caribbean Sea next week, the Cuban foreign ministry confirmed on June 6.
The four Russian navy ships do not carry any nuclear weapons and will not present a threat to the region, Cuba’s foreign ministry said in a statement, confirming reports that cited unnamed U.S. officials.
“This visit corresponds to the historical friendly relations between Cuba and the Russian Federation and strictly adheres to the international regulations,” the communist country’s statement said, according to a translation. “None of the ships carry nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region.”
The ministry’s statement added that Russian sailors will visit various Cuban government officials and places of “historical and cultural interest” and undertake other “activities.”
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry have not issued public comments on the forthcoming visit.
The announcement out of Cuba comes one day after an unnamed U.S. official told reporters from several media outlets that Russia had plans to send combat vessels into the Caribbean region, including to its allies Cuba and Venezuela, to conduct naval exercises.
The Russian ships are expected to arrive in Havana Harbor between June 12 and June 17, according to the Cuban statement.
It’s not the first time Russia has sent ships to the Caribbean region, but it comes after the Kremlin said on June 6 that Western nations that supply Ukraine with weapons to strike Russian territory will have to reckon with Russia.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Western leaders need to “reckon” with Russia and its “position.”
“We won’t compromise our interests,” Mr. Peskov said.
When asked earlier on June 6 by reporters whether the Kremlin would name countries or regions to which Russia might supply arms in this way, he said no.
