Wednesday 14 January 2026 @ 14:00 CET

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has relied not only on its own military capabilities, but also on the systematic support of other authoritarian regimes. While much attention has focused on Iran, North Korea and China, the role of Cuba remains largely underestimated in Europe.

On Wednesday, 14 January 2026, a conference organised by ECR MEPs Mariusz Kamiński, Carlo Fidanza and Arkadiusz Mularczyk will examine mounting evidence that Cuban citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Ukrainian partners and representatives of the Cuban democratic opposition warn that thousands of Cuban mercenaries have been recruited and deployed in support of Russia’s military campaign. “According to our Ukrainian partners and representatives of the Cuban democratic opposition, such large-scale participation could not occur without the political consent of the regime in Havana”, says Mr Kamiński.

The discussion will explore Cuba’s broader cooperation with authoritarian regimes in Moscow, Minsk and Tehran, and assess the direct implications for European security. Particular attention will be given to the European Union’s current policy towards Cuba, including the continued application of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), despite growing evidence of Havana’s active contribution to instability and violence on European territory through its involvement in the war against Ukraine.

During the conference, speakers from Ukraine, the United States and the Cuban democratic opposition will present verified and independently corroborated information, including documented cases of Cuban personnel deployed in Russian units, data on numbers and missions, and intelligence assessments confirming the scale of this involvement. Interpretation is provided in EN, PL, IT, ES.

Speakers

• Oksana Diakun, Deputy Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union
• Congressman Mario Diaz - Balart (video recording)
• Senator Alexis Calatayud (video recording)
• Congressman Carlos A. Giménez (video recording)
• Julian Obligo, Honorary Chairman, The Union of Latin American Parties
• Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, Assembly of the Cuban Resistance
• Maryan Zablotsky, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (online)
• Oleksandr Merezhko, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (online)
• Andrij Jusov, Spokesperson for the Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (online)
• Rosa Maria Payá, Founder of Cuba Decide (online)

When: Wednesday @ 14:00

Where: SPINELLI 1H1