Nicosia, Cyprus, February 19, 2026. The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Cyprus, Rubén Pino Martínez, paid a courtesy visit on Thursday, February 19, to his counterpart, His Excellency Dr. Murat Ziazikov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to this capital.
The meeting took place at the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation in Nicosia, just a few hours after an intense day of work in Moscow by the minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who is there as special envoy of the Cuban Party and Government, and where he was received by the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin; the vice president of the Security Council and president of the United Russia Party, Dmitry Medvedev; and held talks with his counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The two diplomats exchanged views in a warm and friendly atmosphere on the shared vision of Russia and Cuba in the defense of international law, multilateralism, and international peace and security, and together they commented on the recent statements of mutual respect and affection ratified by the authorities of both nations during the last two days of intense work in Moscow.
In this regard, Pino Martínez echoed the words of gratitude shared by Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez Parrilla for Russia's “traditional and historic solidarity and support for Cuba, particularly in the face of the blockade and energy embargo,” while reiterating the willingness to continue working closely together, in line with the significant importance that the Cuban Party and Government attach to the comprehensive, sustainable, and strategic development of bilateral relations.
In addition to thanking the Russian Federation for its historic support for Cuban resolutions against the blockade in the United Nations General Assembly, the Cuban diplomat praised the fraternal ties of friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation that exist between the two peoples and governments.
He also reaffirmed his firm conviction that Cuba will resist and be able to face the increase in threats and aggressive acts by the U.S. government, as it has demonstrated during more than six decades of resistance, with absolute confidence that the Cuban Revolution will prevail and continue to update its economic model in a sovereign manner, albeit with no small number of challenges.
Ziazikov praised the noble spirit of the Cuban people and highlighted their resilience, dignity, and determination in the face of adversity, such as the new sanctions recently imposed on the island. He therefore offered warm and emotional words to the largest of the Antilles and its people, describing the connection that Russia has always maintained with the Caribbean island as "special" and inviting his Cuban counterpart to “consider the Russian diplomatic mission in Nicosia as his second home, reflecting the fraternal spirit that defines the relationship between our nations.”
“Your country and your people occupy a special place in my heart.”
“Your country and your people occupy a special place in my heart,” said Mr. Murat Ziazikov, who did not hesitate to recall his impressions and “warm” experiences when he visited Cuba and shared them with its people as a delegate of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the 11th World Festival of Youth and Students in 1978.
He still remembers that event—as if it were yesterday—held in Havana between July and August of that year, attended by nearly 18,500 young people from 145 countries, “whose closing ceremony concluded with a large demonstration in the historic José Martí Revolution Square in Havana." That day, suddenly, it began to rain. Since then, I have had the best feelings towards Cuba and its people. I cannot forget that," he concluded.
“Today I still have a book,” said His Excellency Ambassador Murat Ziazikov, “that I wrote after returning from your beautiful country, where the most precious thing I found was the affection of its people toward Russia and our people.The experience was so profound that when I recount my stay on the island, I describe Cuba as the most beautiful country in the world.”
Before saying goodbye, the ambassador of the Russian Federation reiterated—as his authorities in Moscow had already expressed during recent working meetings with the Cuban delegation and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla—that “Cuba and its heroic people will continue to count on the solidarity and historic support of our nation.”
Cuban Embassy in Cyprus.