Russia has urged the United States to drop its embargo on Cuba and to remove Liberty Island from the roster of state sponsors of terrorism. This position was presented by Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, during a General Assembly session focused on extra-regional economic measures, as reported by TASS. Nebenzya framed Washington’s stance as deeply harmful, arguing that the combination of the embargo and the designation accomplishes a troubling level of diplomatic pressure that sows unnecessary friction in hemispheric relations and undermines dialogue on critical regional issues. He stressed that removing Cuba from the embargo list would be a meaningful step toward stabilizing regional economics and opening avenues for constructive engagement with Caribbean nations. Nebenzya’s remarks appeared to emphasize that Moscow views such measures as counterproductive to broader global economic cooperation and regional reconciliation, urging the United States to reconsider a policy that has persisted for decades. According to the ambassador, the attempt to label Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, alongside the ongoing embargo, is especially troublesome and counterproductive, casting a shadow over multilateral efforts to address security concerns and humanitarian needs in the region. In his discussion, Nebenzya highlighted the importance of maintaining open channels for diplomacy and urged all parties to approach the issue with a willingness to engage in practical, evidence-based dialogue rather than adopting punitive designations that complicate regional trade and development. The remarks were delivered in the context of ongoing debates about how sanctions and economic measures influence regional stability, humanitarian considerations, and international law, with TASS noting the emphasis on the need for restraint and more precise, targeted policy tools that support constructive interaction among states in the Americas. Nebenzya’s statements reflect a broader call for policy recalibration that prioritizes dialogue, cooperation, and a careful assessment of the real-world impacts of embargoes and terrorism designations on ordinary citizens and regional economies.
