MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) - Russia has been invariably supporting Cuba's fight for independence and has always been opposed to the restrictions on Cuba, and now Havana is acting likewise with regard to Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"The Soviet Union, Russia have always been supporting and are still supporting the Cuban people in their struggle for independence and sovereignty, and have always been opposed to various sorts of restrictions, embargoes, blockades and so on. We have always supported Cuba on international platforms," Putin said in his opening remarks at negotiations with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel y Bermudez.
"As we can see, Cuba acts likewise in regard to our country," Putin said.
This is a result of the bilateral friendship built by Fidel Castro, he said.
"I remember our personal meetings to the slightest detail. He was a remarkable man. [...] Our meetings were very interesting and useful to me," Putin said.
"Russia can always count on Cuba," Diaz-Canel said, adding that Havana "would continue to do everything so that our relations grow and strengthen."
The Cuban president said he admired Putin's speech at the ceremony of the new regions' entry into Russia and noted the "highly structured thinking" of the Russian president.
Putin asked Diaz-Canel to convey his greetings to Raul Castro.