Analysis: Russian ships stationed in Cuba are a “show of force” by Putin

the arrival of some ships and a Nuclear submarine The incursion of the Russian Navy off Cuban shores has revived Cold War sentiment. Cuban authorities have rushed to reassure international actors and indirectly NATO, confirming that visit The meeting of the sailors is part of a series of diplomatic activities as a sign of good relations between the two countries.

However both Canada and the United States have deployed ships to the region, the White House has confirmed does not see this movement as a threat In an effort to erase from memory the disastrous memories of 1962 for its national security and the missile crisis, which kept the world in suspense and raised fears of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Although there are no signs of a Threat to the region according to governments Of the countries involved, security experts agree that the situation is, to say the least, murky worrying for the united states,

that’s what he thinks Manuel GazapoDoctor in International Relations and Institutional Director of the Universitas. “The movement of Russian diplomacy with respect to Cuba is an element that, without a doubt, worries the United States” although it recognizes that “It doesn’t even really represent a serious situation. Or worried about their national security, at least at this point.

Tensions have escalated between Washington and Moscow

You have to keep that in mind International context Russia’s reconciliation with Cuba comes at a time when the West has turned its back on the Kremlin after the invasion of Ukraine and tensions between Washington and Moscow have increased. war,

“The current international situation is characterized by Insecurity, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity“Security expert explains to ‘Euronews’. Manuel Gazapo agrees with the impact of the Ukrainian war on this and other international geostrategic movements.

“The ukraine war, This has undoubtedly been a factor There has been a sea change in international relations and the process of dialogue between some actors and others. Faced with this scenario, Russia has attempted to be proactive Forming new alliances and reactivating existing ones, But they were in a sort of ‘stand-by’ process. This could be the case in Cuba,” he explains.

it’s something that matches Juan Carlos PereiraProfessor of Contemporary History and a great expert on the Cold War Relations between Russia, Cuba and the United States. The professor points to a specific fact and assures that this is “an attempt by Russia because the United States has authorized the use of certain weapons in the war in Ukraine.”

“Show of strength”

Pereira clarifies: “It is not that there can be a confrontation, but I believe that Putin wants to show his strength, to show his might against what he considers an external enemy, this is a demonstration of Russia’s power with the submarine and with the warship”.

However, both the Russian Defense Ministry and the Cuban government itself, and even the White House, have repeatedly said that the presence of Moscow ships There is no danger from them. However, it seems clear that this implies a reconciliation of Cuba with the Soviet axis, despite the fact that in recent years there had been attempts to normalize its relations with the United States.

“We must keep in mind that Rapprochement between Cuba and the United States were developed especially during the last phase of Barack Obama But later, with the following Republican and Democratic administrations, that path did not continue to be built or promoted,” says Gazapo.

Russia appears to have taken advantage of this pause in relations between Havana and Washington Becoming an important actor again, “Not only passively, but also actively in the contemporary development of Cuba.”

A professor of contemporary history told Euronews that Russia and Cuba are joining hands again because “Putin feels harassed by a large part of the international community and It reaches out to other allies such as China, India and now Cuba“This Friday, hundreds of Cubans visited the fleet in their country and will remain there until June 17.

Visits by natives and tourists on these ships will confirm that they have no combat mission, but mobilizing them is still a challenge. A show of power that fits within deterrence strategies The exercises are carried out by all countries within the geopolitical board,” says Manuel Gazapo, referring to the Kazan nuclear-powered submarine that is part of the squadron.

But Russia has not only moved a part of its navy to visit Cuba within the framework of their diplomatic relations, it has also taken the opportunity to conduct military exercises in the Atlantic Ocean. “Russia took advantage of the platform to show off their combat power, As has already been done on other occasions when holding bilateral meetings with other countries,” says the institutional director of Universa.

Echoes of the Cold War

All these events reminiscent of the Cold War eraHowever, Juan Carlos Pereira clarifies that we are very far from a conflict of this magnitude. “The Cold War has a very precise definition and represents Confrontation between the two superpowers with the use of nuclear weapons As a deterrent element.” This is not currently happening, but we are in a moment of “multipolar tension “Russia, China, and the United States.”

This is particularly true of the conflict between the United States and Russia; but it is important to keep in mind the role that European Union You should play in these types of conditions.’ “It should be a priority Become a global player“Being able to maintain its security bubble and transmit peace to the rest of the international community,” says Gazapo, although he does not consider this “a priority for Brussels.” There are a number of other very important points: from a diplomatic, economic and military perspective”.