The European Union on 7 July 2026 called for an end to the United States' economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, while simultaneously pressing the Cuban government to undertake meaningful political and economic reforms and to distance itself from Russia's war in Ukraine. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis acknowledged the embargo's adverse humanitarian impact on the Cuban people but stressed that the island's dire conditions also stem from a lack of domestic reforms, including respect for human rights and the release of arbitrarily detained individuals.
The EU statement, delivered on behalf of the bloc and its member states, reaffirmed the UN Charter as the guiding framework and expressed regret over Cuba's vote against a February resolution supporting a ceasefire in Ukraine. The EU urged Cuba to refrain from providing any support to Russia's aggression and to prevent its nationals from joining Russian military forces. On the economic front, the EU condemned US extraterritorial measures, particularly the Helms-Burton Act, which it said violate international trade rules and negatively affect EU economic interests. EU law already forbids member states from implementing that legislation.
power outages, shortages of medicines and food, collapsing public services, and difficulties accessing basic healthcare. He reiterated the EU's commitment to critical yet constructive engagement with Cuba, offering to share experience in institutional, economic, social and political modernisation, and to continue humanitarian assistance. However, he made clear that humanitarian support alone will not solve Cuba's crisis and that important sovereign decisions can no longer be postponed.
The statement was also aligned with candidate countries Montenegro, Albania, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Norway, Andorra, San Marino and the United Kingdom.