White House says diplomacy with Cuba is taking place

WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday dismissed Cuba's insistence that talks with the U.S. only take place on an equal footing, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying that diplomacy with the island nation was already taking place.

"I think the fact that the Cuban government is on its last legs and its country is about to collapse, they should be wise in their statements directed towards the President of the United States," Leavitt said during a press briefing, in response to comments from Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

"The President (Donald Trump) is always willing to engage in diplomacy, and I believe that's something that is taking place, in fact, with the Cuban government," Leavitt added.