[sudosysgen]

Cuba really isn't close enough to Russia to be "in it's sphere".

[bumby]

I think they meant “political sphere” not “geographic sphere”.

[sudosysgen]

Yes. Politically, since the fall of the Soviet Union, there are few ties between Cuba and Russia.

[bumby]

After the Trump administration reversed the previous administrations opening of Cuba, Russia has increased diplomatic relations with the island nation. The trade between the two has doubled

[sudosysgen]

Russia still isn't even in the top ten trade partners of Cuba. It's not in the Russian sphere in any way.

[bumby]

The important aspect is the rate of increase. Beyond that, Russia is still Cuba’s largest creditor. They may not have the same influence as the USSR but they still have considerable leverage