Ukraine closing embassy in Havana

MOSCOW. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Kiev has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Havana and close its embassy to Cuba, Ukrainian media said, citing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga.

He explained the decision with Cuba taking Russia's side in the conflict with Ukraine.

"We have decided to close our embassy in Havana and to downgrade our diplomatic relations," the media quoted Sibiga's statement on a social network. He thus commented on Ukraine's vote against lifting the U.S. embargo against Cuba at the UN General Assembly session.

Sibiga explained Kiev's vote with the lack of Havana's reaction to the recruitment of Cuban volunteers by the Russian military.