Putin, Cuba’s leader to discuss military cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Cuba’s Council of State and Council of Ministers, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, will discuss cooperation in the military-technical sphere at the talks on November 2, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

"As for the upcoming contacts with the President of Cuba’s Council of State and Council of Ministers, it can certainly be assumed that the military-technical cooperation issue will be high on the agenda," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman declined to comment on whether the provision of loans for the purchase of military equipment to Cuba would be discussed during the meeting. "I cannot provide you with more detailed information. Military-technical cooperation will be on the agenda," he said answering a question on the issue.

On November 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the President of Cuba’s Council of State and Council of Ministers. The Kremlin press service earlier reported that the two leaders are expected to discuss the current state and prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation in various areas and exchange views on pressing global and regional issues.

According to the Cuban Constitution, the president of the Council of State is the head of state and government and is elected for a five-year term. Diaz-Canel Bermudez, 57, replaced 86-year-old Raul Castro who was Cuba’s leader since 2008.