Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, who visited Cuba, stated in the Cuban capital Havana on the 19th that as the rotating presidency of the BRICS countries this year, Russia will support Cuba's cooperation with the BRICS countries. Lavrov arrived in Havana on the same day and met with Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez. At the post meeting press conference, Lavrov said, "Cuban friends' interest in interacting with the BRICS countries is not decreasing, and even increasing day by day. As the rotating presidency of the BRICS countries this year, Russia will support this attitude." Lavrov stated that Cuba is a very important partner and ally of Russia in Latin America and the Caribbean. Cuba is currently facing shortages of oil, food, and medicine, and Russia will continue to sell fuel to Cuba. Lavrov also said that Western countries need to take responsibility for actions that violate the fundamental principles of national sovereignty and equality upheld in the United Nations Charter. He said, "Cuba has a firsthand experience of illegal pressure." Earlier that day, Lavrov laid a wreath at the Jose Marti Memorial in Havana's Revolutionary Square. Cuba is the first stop of Lavrov's Latin America tour. He will also visit Venezuela and Brazil, and attend the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brazil. (Lai Xin She)