MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. Political blackmail exerted by ill-wishers will not affect relations between Russia and Cuba and Moscow will always remain close to Havana, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Thursday.

"Together, we have proved once again that no sanctions can hinder the natural dialogue of peoples and cultures, the attraction of spiritually related people to each other. Despite all the difficulties caused by ill-wishers, despite attempts to reduce the dynamics of our cooperation through intimidation and political blackmail, we do not give up and never will," Ryabkov stated at a commemorative event in Moscow dedicated to the 100th birth anniversary of the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro.

The Russian senior diplomat emphasized that Moscow's plans include "further steady strengthening of a multilateral mutual strategic partnership."

"Russia has always been and will always be close to Cuba. We are ready to lend our friendly shoulder. Long live our time-tested friendship," Ryabkov added.