Vladimir Putin meets Fidel Castro in Cuba

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a six-day Latin American tour aimed at boosting trade and ties in the region with a stop Friday in Cuba, a key Soviet ally during the Cold War that has backed Moscow in its dispute with the West over Ukraine.

The two countries signed about a dozen accords in areas such as energy, industry, health and disaster prevention. Russian companies will participate in petroleum projects around Boca de Jaruco on the island's north coast, and that cooperation will extend to offshore oil deposits, Cuban government website Cubadebate said.

Another agreement covered infrastructure at a big new port project that Cuba hopes will become a regional shipping centre and attract much-needed foreign investment. Moscow is also forgiving 90 per cent of Cuba's Soviet-era debt, which totals more than $35 billion. The remainder will be invested in education on the island, Putin added. The debt agreement is "another great, tangible generosity of the Russian people toward Cuba," President Raul Castro said.

[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]

Strengthening ties with his best friend in the USA's back yard. Good move Chessmaster.