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Ukraine Calls Cuba "Complicit in Putin’s War," Closes Embassy in Havana
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Ukraine has closed its embassy in Havana and downgraded diplomatic relations with Cuba, citing Havana’s inaction over the recruitment of Cuban citizens to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent reported on October 30.
According to Ukrainian intelligence cited by the Kyiv Independent, thousands of Cuban nationals have signed contracts to serve in Russia’s armed forces, with many directly involved in combat operations on Ukrainian soil.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the decision in a post on X, saying Kyiv’s move follows “serious reasons” linked to Cuba’s role in enabling Russian military recruitment.
“We remember the Cuban President’s wish of ‘success’ to Putin in his war of aggression against Ukraine. We heard it well,” Sybiha wrote.
Ukraine’s vote against the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the “Necessity of ending the US embargo against Cuba” marked a sharp policy shift.
The resolution, adopted on October 23 with 165 votes in favor, 17 against, and 12 abstentions, saw Ukraine listed among those opposing it.
“This year, we decided to close our embassy in Havana and downgrade our diplomatic ties. Our vote is not against the Cuban people—we respect their right to live in prosperity. It is against the inaction of Cuba’s authorities in response to massive recruitment of Cuban citizens to the Russian occupation army.” Sybiha said.
Cuban authorities have denied allegations of state-backed recruitment, but reports throughout 2024 and 2025 have detailed cases of Cuban citizens joining the Russian army through online networks and private intermediaries.
“The unwillingness of Havana to stop the massive deployment of its nationals in the Russian war against Ukraine constitutes complicity in aggression and must be condemned in the strongest terms.” Sybiha added.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian intelligence said more than a thousand Cuban nationals are already fighting in Russian units against Ukraine and that the total number of recruited Cuban mercenaries could reach up to 20,000.
Officials in Kyiv argued that this scale of recruitment would not be possible without approval from the Cuban regime and called for countries enabling such recruitment to be treated as accomplices.
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