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| Russia's Vladimir Putin begins Americas visit in Cuba | Russia's Vladimir Putin begins Americas visit in Cuba |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a trip to Latin America, in an apparent bid to seek allies to counter US and Western influence. | |
| His choice of first stop, Cuba, is seen as an attempt to further boost friendly ties with the one-time Soviet ally. | His choice of first stop, Cuba, is seen as an attempt to further boost friendly ties with the one-time Soviet ally. |
| Russia confirmed cancellation of 90% of Cuba's debt two days before the visit. | Russia confirmed cancellation of 90% of Cuba's debt two days before the visit. |
| Mr Putin will also travel to Argentina and Brazil, where he will attend the football World Cup final on Sunday as leader of the next host nation. | Mr Putin will also travel to Argentina and Brazil, where he will attend the football World Cup final on Sunday as leader of the next host nation. |
| Later he will attend a summit of the Brics emerging economies - also including India, China and South Africa - in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza. | Later he will attend a summit of the Brics emerging economies - also including India, China and South Africa - in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza. |
| In an interview on the eve of the trip, the Russian president said Brazil was one of a group of emerging countries who should play a greater role on the world stage. | In an interview on the eve of the trip, the Russian president said Brazil was one of a group of emerging countries who should play a greater role on the world stage. |
| "This powerful and fast-developing country is destined to play an important role in the emerging polycentric world order," he said, adding that Russia would back Brazil's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. | "This powerful and fast-developing country is destined to play an important role in the emerging polycentric world order," he said, adding that Russia would back Brazil's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. |
| Analysts say Mr Putin is trying to encourage Latin American countries to challenge Western dominance in the world at a time when Russia is isolated by sanctions over Ukraine and relations with the West are at their lowest since the Cold War. | Analysts say Mr Putin is trying to encourage Latin American countries to challenge Western dominance in the world at a time when Russia is isolated by sanctions over Ukraine and relations with the West are at their lowest since the Cold War. |
| Debt cancellation | Debt cancellation |
| In Cuba, Mr Putin is expected to meet President Raul Castro and his predecessor and brother Fidel. | In Cuba, Mr Putin is expected to meet President Raul Castro and his predecessor and brother Fidel. |
| They will be expected to discuss the progress of an agreement signed last year which cancels 90% of Cuba's $35.2m Soviet-era debt to Russia and channels the remaining 10% into joint investment projects in the country. | They will be expected to discuss the progress of an agreement signed last year which cancels 90% of Cuba's $35.2m Soviet-era debt to Russia and channels the remaining 10% into joint investment projects in the country. |
| The deal was ratified by the upper house of the Russian parliament on Wednesday. | The deal was ratified by the upper house of the Russian parliament on Wednesday. |
| Relations between Cuba and Russia declined after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 but have improved in recent years. | Relations between Cuba and Russia declined after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 but have improved in recent years. |
| Russia is involved in oil exploration offshore and began drilling a development well last year. | Russia is involved in oil exploration offshore and began drilling a development well last year. |
| Mr Putin said Russian companies were interested in investing in reinforced plastic products, car parts and heavy equipment for the railway industry. | Mr Putin said Russian companies were interested in investing in reinforced plastic products, car parts and heavy equipment for the railway industry. |