Unofficial translation from Russian

Russia, just as the overwhelming majority of the UN member countries, strongly condemns the American embargo against Cuba and advocates that it should be lifted. Our position on this issue has been consistent and invariable: at all the previous sessions of the UN General Assembly Russia voted in support of the resolution demanding an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.

Russia considers that the continuation of the US embargo against Cuba goes against the demands of the times and present-day international relations and is a survival of the Cold War period that completely does not fit in with the realities of the 21st century. We are also strongly against any measures of an exterritorial character, such as the Helms-Burton Act, which is contrary to the basic rules and principles of international law.

Speaking in favor of any real steps aimed at normalizing American-Cuban relations, Russia notes with regret that the tonality of the US statements on key aspects of the policy toward Havana shows that the United States continues to stake on the sanctions methods of influence on the Republic of Cuba.

The Russian side is convinced that lifting the commercial, economic and financial embargo against Cuba would be a major stride forward in normalizing relations between Havana and Washington, which would meet the interests of the Cuban and American peoples and would have a favorable effect on the general situation in the region of Central America and the Caribbean Basin.

Proceeding from the resolution-mentioned principles of the sovereign equality of states, noninterference in their internal affairs and the freedom of commerce and international navigation, Russia reiterates its intention to continue to develop normal commercial and economic ties with Cuba based on reciprocal interest and mutual benefit and maintained in strict accordance with the obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the generally recognized principles and rules of international law, without any discrimination and without prejudice to the lawful rights and interests of the parties.

Guided by the fundamental principles of the UN Charter of the inadmissibility of any discriminatory measures or interference in the affairs of each of the parties, Russia considers it necessary, in continuation of its line at the previous sessions of the UN General Assembly, to vote at the present session too in support of the draft resolution demanding that the embargo should be lifted, and expresses the hope that normalization of Cuban-American relations, which has been consistently favored by the international community, can become a reality even in the nearest future.