In view of his visit to Cuba, Argentina and Brazil, Vladimir Putin answered questions from journalists of the Prensa Latina and ITAR-TASS news agencies.

Vladimir Putin will make a series of visits on July 11–16 to Latin American countries and will take part in BRICS summit, including the BRICS-Latin America meeting planned as part of the summit.

Vladimir Putin congratulated Raul Castro on his re-election as President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba.

Vladimir Putin received letters of credence from nineteen new ambassadors to the Russian Federation from Australia, the Republic of Benin, the Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Cuba, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of El Salvador, Estonia, the United States of Mexico, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, New Zealand, the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of the Philippines, Serbia, Spain, the Republic of the Sudan, the Kingdom of Swaziland, and Sweden.

Vladimir Putin held talks with President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro, who is in Russia on a working visit.

The meeting will be held as part of the working visit to Russia by President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro.

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Fidel Castro on his 85^th birthday. Mr Castro thanked Mr Medvedev for the personalised message and passed on his best wishes to the Russian people.

Dmitry Medvedev had a telephone conversation with President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro.

Dmitry Medvedev congratulated President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro on National Liberation Day, the country’s national holiday.