Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Moscow, May 12 (RHC)-- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called attention to the impact of the U.S. blockade against Cuba, heightened amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

During a joint press conference with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Gutérres, the Russian Foreign Minister, recalled that the U.N. General Assembly annually votes by an overwhelming majority a resolution against the U.S. policy towards the island.

In statements to Prensa Latina, also on the subject, Guterres recalled that the United Nations requested an exemption from sanctions that limit the ability of States to respond effectively to the Covid-19 pandemic and to address its social and economic consequences.

He stressed that this is a position that applies to all situations where such risks exist.

Last year, the U.N. passed a resolution calling to lift unilateral coercive measures contrary to the UN Charter and international law.

On June 23, the Caribbean island will again present for a vote, before the U.N. General Assembly, the report entitled 'Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.'

According to the authorities in Havana, the U.S. reinforced the siege against the Caribbean nation during the current epidemiological situation by preventing the purchase of equipment and other supplies to deal with Covid-19.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry has reiterated that the regulations protecting the blockade against the island constitute an act of economic warfare, with a marked extraterritorial character, and violate international law.