Russian President Vladimir Putin has called communist Cuba’s new leader Miguel Diaz-Canel to discuss strengthening the two countries’ “strategic partnership.
In Tuesday’s call, Putin and Diaz-Canel confirmed their mutual willingness to strengthen the strategic partnership as well as to coordinate efforts in the fight against the spread of COVID19.
The call came the day after Diaz-Canel took over from Raul Castro as first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the most powerful position in the one-party state.
The Kremlin had earlier issued a statement congratulating Diaz-Canel and expressing willingness to develop a constructive bilateral dialogue and mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two nations.
While Russia seeks closer ties, Cuba’s relations with the United States have been at a low since former President Donald Trump reinforced sanctions following temporary easing of tensions under Barack Obama between 2014 and 2016.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said last Friday the United States was not planning any immediate change in its policy toward Cuba, which would continue to focus on support for democracy and human rights.
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