Moscow: Russia on Saturday condemned US President Donald Trump's latest executive order declaring a national emergency and establishing a process to impose tariffs on goods from countries that sell or otherwise provide oil to Cuba. In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reaffirmed that Russia opposes unilateral sanctions against sovereign independent states, defining such measures as 'categorically unacceptable.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Zakharova strongly condemned the measures against Havana and the pressure on the Cuban leadership and citizens. She expressed confidence that Cuba will continue to maintain effective foreign economic ties 'despite the external obstacles to its development.'

Zakharova also commented on the document's labeling of Russia and several other countries, including China and Iran, as 'hostile' and 'malign,' noting that this does not contribute to 'stabilizing Russian-American dialogue' or the effectiveness of Washington's mediation efforts. She criticized attempts to create obstacles to international cooperation, particularly with a country facing a challenging socioeconomic situation, largely due to the nearly 70-year-long American embargo.

She emphasized that Russia's cooperation with Cuba is not directed against any third party, and Moscow is 'firmly committed to consistently developing it for the benefit of our peoples and to strengthening international security and stability.'

According to a White House fact sheet on the executive order, the move aims to protect US national security and foreign policy interests by pressuring Cuba over its 'malign actions and policies.' The order, signed by Trump on Thursday, authorizes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to take "all necessary actions" to implement the tariff system and related measures. The order allows for modification if Cuba or affected countries take significant steps to align with US objectives.