Spanish Senator and retired general Fernando Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu, who chairs the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's Special Group for the Mediterranean and Middle East, believes there is no need to worry about the arrival of a Russian fleet in Havana. "This is a friendly visit, part of exercises previously conducted in the Atlantic," he stated, downplaying the significance despite the U.S. Navy monitoring their movements due to the island's geostrategic location.
Díaz de Otazu emphasized that "it is not uncommon for Russian ships to operate in international waters and dock at ports they consider friendly," during an interview with CiberCuba on Friday. The senator also dismissed any direct link between Ukraine's use of Russian weapons to strike military targets in Russia and the arrival of the Russian fleet in Havana. According to him, the recent provision of arms by the United States and other NATO allies to Ukraine happened only in late May, making it impossible for the fleet's Atlantic exercises to be related.
"This is a non-combat action, a friendly gesture from the Russian Federation towards Cuba," added the former commander general of Melilla, a Spanish city in North Africa bordering Morocco.
When asked if the fleet's arrival in Havana sends a message from Russia to NATO, Díaz de Otazu acknowledged that Russia aims to signal its active support and friendship with various countries globally. Nevertheless, he pointed out that NATO is currently more concerned with Russian activities in North Africa and the Sahel region rather than movements in the Caribbean, including Cuba. The NATO Secretary-General has already requested and received an expert report assessing the Russian presence in these regions.
"Russia strives to maintain its presence in all international environments to secure support in the United Nations General Assembly and other forums," Diaz de Otazu noted. "For NATO, it's not a reason for concern but rather something to monitor closely."
Addressing the potential for the Russian fleet, which includes a submarine, a tanker, a tugboat, and a frigate, to be used for repressive actions in Cuba, Díaz de Otazu argued that it is logistically improbable. "It is difficult for Cuban authorities to use a nuclear submarine and a frigate for repressive tasks amidst civil unrest," he said. However, he acknowledged that the arrival of the Russian tanker might offer some relief to Cuba's current situation.
Regarding the risk of a third World War, Díaz de Otazu remarked, "That danger always exists, which is why we have armies." He added that if Russia were to win the conflict with Ukraine, the subsequent consequences for NATO member Baltic states (Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia) and neighboring Poland would be significant and concerning. "All allies must prepare for that eventuality," he concluded.
Key Concerns About the Russian Fleet in Havana
Here, we address some of the main questions regarding the arrival of the Russian fleet in Havana and its potential implications.
Why did the Russian fleet arrive in Havana?
The arrival is part of a friendly visit linked to exercises previously conducted in the Atlantic, according to Spanish Senator Fernando Gutiérrez Díaz de Otazu.
Is there a direct link between the Russian fleet's visit and the Ukraine conflict?
No, Díaz de Otazu dismisses any direct connection, emphasizing the fleet's exercises were likely planned well before recent events in Ukraine.
Can the Russian fleet be used for repressive actions in Cuba?
Díaz de Otazu considers it logistically improbable for Cuban authorities to use the fleet's nuclear submarine and frigate for repressive actions.
What are NATO's current concerns regarding Russia?
NATO is more concerned with Russian military activities in North Africa and the Sahel region rather than their movements in the Caribbean.