On February 2, Cuban President Raúl Castro met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as part of his visit in Moscow. The meeting summed up the remarkable results of the Caribbean state leader's visit, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreeing to grant multi-million dollar state loans to Cuba. Interestingly, it is reported that the sum finally agreed by the two presidents turned out to be 18 times higher than initially planned.
At the meeting, Mr Putin was accompanied by Deputy Prime Ministers Igor Sechin and Sergei Ivanov. "I hope that we'll succeed in accomplishing the agreements reached during your visit, both in the financial sphere and particularly on real manufacturing," Mr Putin addressed Mr Castro at the meeting's beginning after greeting the Cuban leader in a friendly manner despite the age gap of almost 20 years, and shaking hands with members of the Cuban delegation.
Yet it was the loan agreements that were the subject of interest for the reporters, who speculated that Mr Castro would receive as much as $350 million instead of the planned $20 million. The sum includes financing for the purchase of Russian-made technical equipment.
"The real manufacturing agreements concern hydrocarbons, communication facilities, shipbuilding and engineering, as well as the use of the GLONASS navigation satellite system," Mr Putin elaborated with the support of Deputy Prime Minister and Rosneft board chairman Igor Sechin and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who supervises the GLONASS system.
Cuba has shown interest in purchasing Russian aircraft and parts for military equipment. It is also hoped that Cuba might agree to purchase Russian-made cars, including those manufactured by AutoVAZ, thus contributing to the rescue of Russia's automotive industry.
"We are very glad to see Russian-Cuban ties strengthening at a higher political level, with the two country's presidents mutual visits," Mr Putin said addressing Mr Castro. "I am also happy to see our economic ties on the rise as well," the Prime Minister added.
Castro, in turn, took his time in sharing his thoughts on the "positive and efficient" talks he was having in Moscow and "a few large steps" made by Russia and Cuba recently to strengthen mutual relations. "I suppose we can implement all that has been planned if we persist," Castro finally said.
A meeting between Mr Castro and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill on February 3 was the next significant event on his itinerary.
Alexander Latyshev