Matvienko pointed to the strengthening of relations between Russia and Cuba through parliamentary ties

Parliamentary ties strengthen relations between Russia and Cuba. This was announced on March 27 by Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko at a meeting with Chairman of the National Assembly of People's Power and the State Council of the Republic of Cuba Esteban Laso Hernandez.

She shared that she is in constant contact with Hernandez.

"At the end of last year, we held a meeting via videoconference. It seems to me that this is very important for maintaining our special relations with Cuba, such constant contacts between parliamentarians," she said.

Matvienko called Hernandez's visits to the Russian Federation productive and contributing to the advancement of bilateral relations based on agreements reached at the highest level. She stressed that the confidential dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Caneli Bermudez sets the tone for a complex of strategic partnership relations.

"And thanks to the efforts of the leaders of our countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Caneli Bermudez, we have reached a qualitatively new level of cooperation and deeper understanding," Matvienko added.

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said during talks with Cuban Foreign Minister Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas on September 10 that Russia would take additional measures to support Cuba to help overcome US sanctions. Then he noted that Moscow was ready to deepen strategic cooperation with Havana in a variety of areas.