We are simply defending our interests and the interests of our citizens, the Russian-speaking population, we will continue to defend them".[40] Ryabkov said Russia has "no intention of attacking, staging an offensive on or invading Ukraine."[2] Asked about the possibility of Russian military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela, Ryabkov said "it all depends on the actions by our US counterparts".[42] Dmitry Medvedev, a deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, told Russian media that "Cuba and Venezuela are aiming to come out of isolation and restore normal relations with the U.S. to a certain extent, so there can’t be any talk about setting up a base there as happened during the Soviet times."[43]