On Wednesday, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, told Bruno Rodriguez his Cuban counterpart that Moscow was urging the U.S. to not impose a complete naval blockade against the communist-run Island and instead advocated negotiations.

Lavrov hailed Cuba as a "brotherly nation" at the beginning of the talks in Moscow with Rodriguez. The Cuban Minister was expected to hold more discussions with President Vladimir Putin later on Wednesday.

Lavrov said, "We call on the United States to show responsibility and common sense by refraining from plans for a naval blocade of the Island of Freedom."

"We categorically deny the unfounded allegations against Russia and Cuba, and our cooperation. These allegedly threaten the interests of the United States and anyone else."

Russia says it will do what it can to help Cuba survive the U.S. effort to?starve it of oil. However, it has not been specific about how it will do this - though Moscow's Ambassador to Cuba

This month?

He "assumed", that Russia would continue supplying it with oil.

Lavrov said any differences between Washington and Havana could be resolved through "mutually respectful dialogue", and that Cuba is ready for "honest negotiation." (Reporting and Editing by Andrew Osborn).

(source: Reuters)