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Russia Reaffirms Solidarity with Cuba, Offers Support Against US Blockade at BRICS Meeting
At the BRICS ministerial meeting in New Delhi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia's full solidarity with Cuba and criticized unilateral sanctions. Russia also expressed readiness to support Cuba in lifting the US trade and economic blockade, amid a severe energy crisis in Cuba.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's full solidarity with Cuba during the BRICS ministerial meeting in New Delhi, according to TASS. Lavrov's remarks came as Cuba faces a severe energy crisis following a US-imposed energy blockade announced in late January 2026.
Coverage Comparison
TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported on two related developments: Lavrov's statement at the BRICS plenary session and a separate meeting between Lavrov and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on the sidelines of the same gathering. Both reports emphasized Russia's support for Cuba and criticized US policies, though they focused on different aspects—one on Lavrov's public remarks, the other on the bilateral meeting and the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement.
Key Claims
Lavrov said at the third plenary session of the BRICS ministerial meeting in New Delhi: "We reiterate our full solidarity with and support for the Cuban people and the Island of Freedom."
Lavrov criticized "the expansion of illegal practices of unilateral coercive measures, including illegitimate sanctions, the illegal seizure of assets and property in violation of the basic principle of sovereign equality of states, fundamental human rights, including the right to development, health, and food security."
He also noted attempts to inflict "irreparable harm" on populations of countries that "have done nothing to provoke such a policy," citing Iran and Cuba as examples.
According to TASS, the situation in Cuba deteriorated dramatically in late January 2026 after the US administration announced an energy blockade, leading to an energy crisis. Cuba's national power grid failed three times in March, leaving the island without electricity for days, and the country faces acute shortages of gasoline and diesel fuels.
TASS also reported that a number of foreign air carriers suspended flights to Cuba due to a lack of jet kerosene at its airports.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, after Lavrov's meeting with Rodriguez Parrilla, said Russia is ready to provide assistance to Havana in its "legitimate demand for an immediate lifting of the US trade, economic, and financial blockade of the island, as well as for removing Cuba from the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism."
The two ministers stressed that their countries' positions on the inadmissibility of using unilateral sanctions in bypassing the UN Charter remain unchanged. The Russian side reiterated its readiness to offer Havana "political, diplomatic, and tangible support" amid the "unprecedented escalation of the situation."
The BRICS ministerial meeting was held in New Delhi on May 14 and 15, with India chairing the group and issuing a final statement after the meeting.
Perspectives
Russian Government
Russia, through Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Foreign Ministry, expresses full solidarity with Cuba, condemns unilateral sanctions as illegitimate and harmful, and offers political, diplomatic, and tangible support to help Cuba lift the US blockade and be removed from the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
How this outlet told it
TASS — English
Framing: Russia's support for Cuba — critical of US policies
Facts Included:
Russia reiterates solidarity with Cuba
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at BRICS ministerial meeting
Lavrov criticized unilateral coercive measures and sanctions
Cuba's situation deteriorated after US energy blockade announcement
Cuba experienced energy crisis, power grid failures, and fuel shortages
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimRussia reiterates its solidarity with Cuba. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said this at the BRICS ministerial meeting in New Delhi.
ClaimThe situation in Cuba deteriorated dramatically in late January 2026, after the US administration announced an energy blockade of the island, which entailed an energy crisis.
ClaimCuba’s national power grid failed three times in March, leaving the entire island without electricity for days. The country is seeing acute shortages of gasoline and diesel fuels.