A Look At The Current Russia - Cuba Relationship

Almost 30 years after the Soviet Union was dissolved its flag still flies over the sea front in Havana (AFP Photo/Yamil Lage)

Katell ABiven and Thibaut Marchand, AFP: Russia's increasing influence in Cuba stirs ghost of Cold War

Havana (AFP) - Russia is stirring the ghosts of Cuba's Cold War past as it looks to re-establish its influence in the Communist-run island nation, although this time analysts say Moscow has no intention of bankrolling Havana.

Whereas once the Soviet Union and Cuba were linked by an ideological bond, now pragmatism and a shared rejection of US foreign policy is drawing them together again.

At Havana's colorful May Day parade Wednesday, Raul Castro, the first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party, received the highest distinction from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation: the Order of Lenin.

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WNU Editor: The current Russia - Cuba relationship is nowhere near what it was over 30 years ago. The Cold War is over, and Russia's concerns are primarily economic. And while Russian President Putin may still look at countries like Cuba and Venezuela in geopolitical terms and as leverage against the U.S., I can guarantee that the next Russian President will not.