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Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrives in Cuba this Thursday, at a time when the island is going through a new economic crisis while under new pressure from the United States. Havana has been crippled by US sanctions intended to stop third parties from doing business with the Caribbean island or shipping fuel to the country amid the crisis. However, Trump's hard-handed approach has seen Moscow swoop in on the crisis stricken countries in Latin America and assert diplomatic control. Now, with Cuba in a desperate situation, depleted of oil and struggling to power the country, Putin has agreed a nuclear pact and new trade ties with Havana in an effort to further undermine Trump. A statement from the Russian government this week signalled that the countries will sign accords and commercial agreements.

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According to the Russian governmental official, no less than £500million of borrowed capital may be invested into the project of major overhaul of ten power generation units at three thermal power plants in Cuba.

Medvedev, who is making his third trip to Cuba, is scheduled to meet with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, tour an energy project on the outskirts of the capital and see restoration work on Havana’s emblematic capitol building, whose golden dome came thanks to a donation from Moscow.

The Russian Prime Minister's meeting with the Cuban President coincides with toughening US sanctions.

One recent measure was the creation of a blacklist of shipping companies to punish those that deliver petroleum.

Cuba produces around 42,000 barrels of oil a day, but it has a daily deficit of 62,000 barrels that is filled primarily by Venezuela, also a close partner of Russia.