Putin Received an Invitation to Visit Cuba

Russian news agency reported, quoting Moscow's ambassador to Cuba, Viktor Koronelli, that Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation to visit the communist-ruled island, but it is too early to discuss preparations for the visit. Koronelli stated to the agency that "Putin received the invitation, but I don't know how his plans will proceed. The Cuban President visited Moscow not long ago, in November of last year, so not much time has passed." He noted that "Cuba has welcomed 66,000 tourists from Russia so far this year," considering that "the resumption of regular flights to Cuba by Russian airlines (Aeroflot) will likely mean the visit of one hundred thousand Russian tourists to the island in 2023." When Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel met with his Russian counterpart Putin in 2022, he conveyed a personal greeting from former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and condemned Western sanctions against Russia. According to a transcript from the Kremlin, Díaz-Canel told Putin, "Russia can always count on Cuba, and we will continue to do our utmost to ensure the growth and strengthening of our relations." Cuba and Russia, long-time political allies both under U.S. sanctions, have enhanced economic relations by facilitating trade and investment to circumvent those restrictions.