Cuban and Russian Defense Ministers talk military cooperation.

Joint “Technical Military” Projects Discussed by Cuba and Russia

The defense ministers of Cuba and Russia engaged in discussions about the development of joint “technical military” projects this week at a meeting in Moscow. This comes just days after mercenaries marched towards the Russian capital, adding to the intrigue surrounding the meeting.

Increasing Economic Ties

The longtime political allies, both subject to U.S. sanctions, have significantly strengthened their economic ties in recent months. This has facilitated trade and investment, allowing them to bypass the restrictions imposed on them.

Extending Cooperation to the Military

Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu proposed this week to extend the cooperation between the two countries to their militaries. According to a report in Prensa Latina, Shoigu expressed his willingness to discuss a wide range of military and military-technical issues with Cuba.

“The composition of your large delegation testifies to Cuba’s readiness to discuss a wide range of issues in the military and military-technical sphere,” Shoigu said in the report. “I propose to discuss in detail all the existing and promising cooperation projects in the military field.”

Shoigu’s dismissal had been one of the main demands of mutineers led by Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin over the weekend.

Rejecting Sanctions and Expanding NATO

Cuba’s defense minister Alvaro Lopez expressed Havana’s rejection of the sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. He also reiterated Cuba’s position that U.S. efforts to expand NATO had forced Russia’s hand in Ukraine, as stated in a Russian military statement.

“History will demand responsibility from the United States for the consequences of its aggressive military doctrine beyond the borders of NATO, which threatens peace, security, and international stability,” Lopez was quoted as saying in the Russian military statement.

Amidst Allegations and Denials

The meeting took place shortly after the United States expressed “deep concerns” about Chinese intelligence and military activities in Cuba. The Wall Street Journal reported that Beijing was planning a spy base and new military training facilities on the island. However, Cuba has denied these allegations, citing a lack of evidence. They maintain that the only military incursion on the communist-run island is the “illegal” military base operated by the United States at Guantanamo.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Havana; Additional reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Daniel Wallis)