[glup]

This analysis is a little off-- Cuba has received only symbolic support from Russia since the fall of the USSR. However, dynamics in the oil market are significant for Venezuela, their chief ally (and main supplier of energy resources!).

[joezydeco]

Putin handed Cuba $32 billion dollars a mere 5 months ago:

"During the [July 2014] visit, Putin agreed to write off $32 billion in Russian debt to Cuba, leaving just over $3 billion left to pay over the next 10 years. This was a significant economic weight lifted from Havana, whose gross domestic product shrank by up to a third with the loss of direct aid and subsidies from Moscow after the Soviet Union fell. Putin and Raúl Castro also agreed to new deals in energy, health and disaster prevention and help with building a vast new seaport. Moscow is also now exploring for oil and gas in Cuban waters, right in the U.S.’s backyard."

http://www.newsweek.com/2014/08/22/russia-and-cuba-get-back-...

[dragonwriter]

You know, there was a time when Newsweek would have known the difference between Russian debt to Cuba and Cuban debt to Russia.

[jfoutz]

I think it's fair to say tensions between the US and Russia are increasing over the Ukraine. An obvious, and historically effective, Russian intimidation tactic is a military presence in Cuba. Improving relations with Cuba makes that a bit tougher to achieve. I'm not saying this is the reason, just another positive outcome.

There are a ton of good reasons to improve relations, and few reasons not to.