In a statement issued on Saturday, Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Cuba’s parliament, accused the US of fueling the conflict in Ukraine and trying to shift the blame onto Russia through a media campaign.
Lazo’s comments were made during a meeting with State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin in Havana, where he reiterated Cuba’s opposition to the unilateral sanctions imposed against Russia and the policy of isolating the country.
“We oppose the policy of isolating Russia through a powerful media campaign aimed at inciting hatred against Russia, which they seek to blame for the escalation of the conflict. We are well aware of how the US government operates, the true culprit of this problem,” Lazo said.
He also condemned the policy of NATO expansion and bringing NATO closer to Russia’s borders, calling it a provocative action that only increases tensions in the region.
The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, when Russian-backed separatists seized control of Crimea and fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine. The US and other Western nations have accused Russia of providing military support to the separatists, a charge that Russia denies.
The US has imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the conflict, and tensions between the two nations have been high for years. Lazo’s comments reflect a view held by some that the US is partly responsible for the conflict and is using the media to manipulate public opinion and blame Russia.
The meeting between Lazo and Volodin comes as Cuba and Russia seek to strengthen their ties. Russia has been a key ally of Cuba since the Cold War era, and the two countries have maintained close political and economic relations in recent years.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it remains to be seen how the US and Russia will resolve their differences and work towards a peaceful resolution.
