Russian PM Medvedev speaks out against Cuba blockade in Havana visit

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev held talks with Cuba's President in Havana on Thursday. Moscow has sought to renew its commercial, military and political ties with Cuba in recent years, as part of a broader strategy to expand its presence in Latin America as a counterweight to China and the United States.

On Thursday, it signed a series of new agreements to strengthen cultural and economic exchange. Russia's support for Cuba is insignificant compared to the role the Soviet Union once played. But analysts have said it is still very welcome as the island's economy suffers from a steep decline in Venezuelan aid and U.S. sanctions.

Above all, Medvedev's visit is symbolically important, they said. Russia has in particular the capacity to help Cuba out of its current fuel crisis which Havana blames on U.S. sanctions on energy shipments to the island.