Labour responds to Russian Government’s refusal to rule out a military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela

Fabian Hamilton MP, Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament, responding to the Russian Government’s refusal to rule out a military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela, said:

“This is a reckless and needless ramping up of tensions by the Russian Government. An attempt to return to the volatile posturing of the Cold War is wholly irresponsible and must condemned by government, and by the international community as a whole.

The UK Government must redouble its efforts to work with the US and our NATO allies to underline the need for de-escalation with Russia. This latest threat highlights how vital it is that the UK Government stops dragging its feet on implementing the recommendations of the Russia Report in full.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

• ‘Sergei Ryabkov, who led Russia’s delegation in a meeting with the US on Monday, told Russian television he could neither confirm nor exclude sending military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if talks fail. Asked about these steps, he said “it all depends on the actions by our US counterparts”- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/13/russia-says-talks-with-nato-over-ukraine-are-hitting-a-dead-end