Russia condemns Trump comments on 'takeover' of Cuba

MOSCOW, March 12 (Reuters) - Russia condemned on Thursday what it called blackmail and threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to initiate a "takeover" of Cuba, a traditional ally of Moscow.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would provide all possible political and diplomatic support to Cuba and called for a diplomatic solution to the tensions with Washington.

Trump said on Monday that Cuba was in "deep trouble" and that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was dealing with the issue, which may or may not be a "friendly takeover."