Vladimir Putin is set to meet this week with Miguel Díaz-Canel as part of a series of scheduled bilateral meetings in the context of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism, taking place in Moscow.
According to the Kremlin advisor, Yuri Ushakov, the meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for this Wednesday, but before that, Putin will meet with the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.
The Russian leader plans to hold more than 15 bilateral meetings between May 7 and 10, including one with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as with representatives from countries such as Egypt, Serbia, Brazil, and Vietnam.
Amid a severe economic crisis that has plunged Cuba into a spiral of blackouts, shortages, and mass migration, Díaz-Canel is looking for something more than a formal photo in Moscow.
His meeting with Putin might be one of the few avenues available to secure tangible material support in an international context where Havana increasingly has fewer allies willing to lend a hand.
Díaz-Canel has been in Russian territory since last Sunday.
His first stop was in St. Petersburg, where he met with the local governor, Alexandr Beglov, to discuss the possible opening of direct flights between that city and Havana, hoping to invigorate a tourism sector that managed to attract only half a million foreign visitors in the first three months of the year, well short of the official targets.
Russia is, despite everything, one of the few countries that still regularly sends tourists to the Caribbean island.
The meeting with Putin, however, seems to be the true objective of this official visit. Havana knows that its relationship with the Kremlin could be its last strategic stronghold to alleviate a collapsed economy.
In this regard, the agenda includes visits to scientific centers associated with sectors such as biotechnology, energy, and artificial intelligence—areas in which the Cuban regime hopes to secure investments, technology transfer, or cooperation agreements.
But the context surrounding this journey also highlights the subordinate position that Cuba occupies today in the geopolitical landscape of Moscow.
Upon arrival at the airport, the Cuban was greeted by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, and not by Putin or any high-ranking figure from his government, as has happened with other more significant strategic allies in past visits.
This protocol treatment suggests that, despite the discourse of "historical brotherhood" between the two countries, Havana today occupies a peripheral position on the Kremlin's list of priorities. And yet, the Cuban government doesn't have many more options.
The fragility of the Cuban economy leaves no room for ideological romanticism.
The country is facing a silent humanitarian crisis, characterized by a structural shortage of food, medicine, and fuel, increasingly prolonged power outages, and rampant inflation that has impoverished large sectors of the population.
In this context, the trip to Moscow appears as a desperate necessity rather than a strategic choice.
The official Cuban newspaper Granma seeks to add solemnity to Díaz-Canel's trip, highlighting the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the president's participation in the military parade in Red Square.
During his visit to St. Petersburg, he laid a floral tribute at the statue of Lenin and participated in commemorative events. He also thanked Russia for its support against the U.S. embargo and criticized the sanctions imposed by NATO following the invasion of Ukraine.
However, beyond these symbolic acts, the Cuban populace is expecting practical responses: fuel, food, funding, or agreements that translate into real relief for their daily lives.
In this regard, the meeting with Putin could pave the way for new lines of credit, ease outstanding payments, or receive direct technical assistance, as well as the signing of new tourism agreements, such as the one announced with the Russian agency Rus Cuba Dive to promote diving in the Ciénaga de Zapata.
Díaz-Canel's visit occurs in a complex regional context, where allied regimes like Venezuela and Nicaragua are also facing internal and external pressures.
In that political triangle, Moscow seeks to continue being the support for allied governments in the Western Hemisphere, even if these no longer represent, in economic terms, a profitable investment.
His trip will extend until May 10, and a formal meeting with Putin is expected to take place in the coming hours.
He is accompanied by a delegation that includes Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, Minister of Foreign Trade Oscar Pérez-Oliva, and other senior officials, who are seeking to solidify bilateral agreements during the most critical phase for the Cuban economy in decades.
In the absence of major announcements, what many observers anticipate is an attempt to secure symbolic gestures of support—and perhaps some financial assistance—that can be showcased back in Havana as proof that Cuba "is not alone."
In a nation where hunger, uncertainty, and exodus shape daily life, even a minor gesture from the Kremlin can be turned into propaganda of resistance.
But reality does not wait for speeches. And Cubans, increasingly skeptical, know that not every parade comes with bread.
Frequently Asked Questions about the meeting between Putin, Díaz-Canel, and Nicolás Maduro in Moscow
Why is the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Miguel Díaz-Canel important?
The meeting between Putin and Díaz-Canel is important because Cuba is facing a severe economic crisis and needs material support, which it seeks to obtain from the Russian government. Moscow positions itself as a strategic ally at a time of international isolation for Havana, and this meeting could lead to agreements that provide some form of economic relief to Cuba.
What is Cuba seeking in its relationship with Russia?
Cuba seeks economic and technological support from Russia to address its economic and humanitarian crisis. Havana hopes to secure investments and cooperation in sectors such as biotechnology, energy, and artificial intelligence, in addition to potential lines of credit and agreements for Cuban exports to Russia.
What has the reception of Díaz-Canel been like in Russia?
The reception of Díaz-Canel in Russia has highlighted a subordinate position of the Cuban regime in relation to the Kremlin. Unlike other international leaders, Díaz-Canel was welcomed by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, indicating that Cuba holds a peripheral place in Russia's diplomatic priorities.
What implications does Cuba's dependence on Russia have?
Cuba's dependence on Russia implies an asymmetric relationship in which Havana desperately seeks economic support, while the Kremlin uses this relationship to expand its geopolitical influence in Latin America. This alliance may strengthen Cuba's position in the short term, but it also ties it to an international partner under sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
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