What are Russian ships doing in Cuba?

Dozens of Russian warships landed in Cuba under the eyes of the United States.

A demonstration of strength, that of Moscow, which cannot go unnoticed, especially in a period in which the fragile balance between Russia and the United States runs on a razor’s edge, exactly like between the American giant and Cuba.

Naval ships sent by the Kremlin have visited Cuba before, but the current convoy seems to be the largest in recent times. It includes Admiral Gorshkov, the lead ship capable of carrying out long-range missile attacks and anti-submarine warfare, equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles. Also part of the convoy are the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, the tanker Pashin, and the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker.

As reported by Aljazeera, the Russian fleet is expected to remain in Cuba between 12 and 17 June; on those days the public will be able to visit the ships and take a tour to learn about the power of the Russian navy. But what are the reasons why Moscow’s fleet is in Cuba? Is there a risk of a new crisis of ’62? In reality, it is still early to talk, but at the moment the United States is simply observing, grasping the messages and veiled threats with which the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, warns the West and NATO.

This is why the Russian ships are in Havana and whether there is really a risk of a crisis like the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.

What are Russian ships doing in Cuba and why

First of all, we need to reassure readers: the presence of the Russian fleet is part of a "friendly routine visit" between the navies of the two countries. The Moscow crew, therefore, will conduct military exercises during the period of stay in Havana.

Obviously, if this is the diplomatic and pragmatic reason, on the geopolitical chessboard the Russian navy exercise, just over 150 kilometers away from the United States, has the aim of sending a message or warning to Washington. The show of strength, in fact, comes after the escalation of tensions between the Kremlin and the White House, after President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to attack Russian targets with American weapons, NATO did the same.

The Russian counterpart immediately promised retaliation, not only against the United States but against Kyiv’s other Western allies. As explained by Putin, such a decision “would mark their direct involvement in the war against the Russian Federation, and we reserve the right to act in the same way”, resorting to the strategy of deterrence, threatening to resort to nuclear weapons.

The Russian ships therefore serve as a “reminder” to Washington of what it means when an adversary intrudes on its plans just a few kilometers away. But not only that, the naval display also aims to reassure South American allies, such as Cuba and Venezuela, of Russian support against Washington.

Russia, Cuba, and the USA: is there the risk of a new crisis of ’62?

Faced with the images of Russian ships parading in Cuban airs, it is natural that many shout about the danger of a new crisis of ’62, when Moscow transferred nuclear weapons to Cuba, provoking an immediate and harsh response from the United States, which opted for a naval blockade of Havana. A crisis that risked triggering a nuclear conflict and which was resolved only after direct negotiations between the two countries.

At the moment, however, this does not seem to be the case. In fact, with the arrival of the Russian fleet in Cuba, the US deployed ships and planes that monitored the movement of the fleet even before it arrived on the island, confirming the absence of nuclear weapons on board, as explained by officials who spoke to US media, specifying that the fleet remained in international waters the entire time.

The island, since the rise of Fidel Castro, has been subject to numerous sanctions and restrictions. The deterioration of public services, power outages, food and fuel shortages, and rampant inflation have pushed Cuba into the worst economic crisis in decades, bringing it closer again to Moscow, through which it hopes to attract new foreign investors. Indeed, the two countries kicked off a series of economic partnerships last May, including one that will allow Russian businesses to lease Cuban land for 30 years, an unusual move in a largely closed country.

In any case, a crisis of the size of the 1960s seems far away, but the message that Moscow wanted to send to Washington has arrived loud and clear.

Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-06-13 23:17:43. Original title: Cosa ci fanno navi russe a Cuba?