Russia: Vladimir Putin unveils monument to Fidel Castro

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Monument to Fidel Castro in Moscow: three meter high bronze statue

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Sergey Guneev / AP

Because of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is increasingly isolated internationally.

Relations with many nations are on hold.

Cuba is now demonstrating closeness to the government in Moscow, which in turn is paying special attention to the Caribbean state.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin unveiled a three-metre-tall bronze monument to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in Moscow.

Castro, who died in 2016, was "one of the brightest and most charismatic leaders of the stormy and dramatic 20th century," Putin said, according to the Interfax agency.

"A truly legendary personality."

In their last conversation in 2014, Castro emphasized that every people has the "right to free development and to choose their own path" and that "in a truly just world there is no place for coercion, robbery and neo-colonialism," said Putin.

He left it open how this is compatible with the attack on Ukraine.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel was also present at the ceremony.

Cuban President Slams Yankee Empire

He and Putin had previously jointly criticized Western sanctions against their respective countries.

"We have always opposed restrictions, embargoes, blockades and so on," Putin said in the Kremlin.

Diaz-Canel and Putin were united in their criticism of the West, particularly the United States.

Diaz-Canel said both countries are the target of "unfair and arbitrary sanctions" and have a "common enemy manipulating much of the world" in the "Yankee empire."

Putin also praised the decades-long friendship with Cuba and called for even closer cooperation between the two countries.

Diaz-Canel sided with Russia in the confrontation with the West and encouraged Moscow to stand firm.

Russia's influence on Cuba initially waned after the end of the Soviet Union, but has become stronger again in recent years.

US sanctions against Cuba have been in place for more than 60 years.

After the start of its military offensive in Ukraine, Russia was subjected to unprecedented sanctions from the West.

On February 24, Russia launched a war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine.

Putin denies Ukraine's historic independence.

Russia is one of Cuba's closest allies and major donors.

The Kremlin described Cuba, which has not condemned Russia's Ukraine war, as a "very important partner."

Diaz-Canel hopes the visit to Russia will help boost his country's ailing energy sector, which is suffering from power outages and fuel shortages.

asc/dpa/AFP