Havana, Moscow and Washington: A Triangular Relationship at a Time of Change?

Abstract

Since the inception of ‘systematic’ Russian interest in Cuba, which commenced with the Russian Revolution in November 1917, the bilateral relationship between Havana and Moscow has been part of a triangular formation due to the constant impact of the United States on it. Utilizing two contrasting paradigms in International Relations this article will examine the impact of the United States on the relationship between Havana and Moscow in three distinct periods; from the time of the Russian Revolution until the Cuban Revolution, from January 1959 until December 1991 and the post-Soviet period from 1992 until the present before analyzing the effects which the historic change in Cuban-U.S. relations since December 2014 may have for Cuban-Russian relations. It will conclude whether a triangle is still the most appropriate analogy for contemporary Cuban-Russian relations.