The Russian destroyer Admiral Chabanenko received a warm welcome when it entered Havana in December 2008. <br /><br />The ship became the first Russian naval vessel to visit Cuba since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. <br /><br />Cuba, the Soviet Union and the United States shared and volatile past.<br /><br />In October 1962 the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear catastrophe.<br /><br />For 13-days the Cold War simmered and mutually assured destruction was discussed and documented.<br /><br />In response to Washington deploying missile batteries in Turkey and Italy, and a failed US attempt overthrow the Cuban regime. The Kremlin decided to install nuclear missiles in Cuba, Fidel Castro agreed, cranking up the tension to unbearable levels.<br /><br />President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev finally opted for a peace pact on October 28, 1962 and the world breathed a sigh of relief.<br /><br />For years, Cuba, subjected to a US embargo, survived thanks to Soviet goods and hardware prompting a healthy trade between the allies. <br /><br />At one point business worth $9bn a year passed between the pair.<br /><br />It all ended abruptly as the Soviet Empire fragmented and collapsed.<br /><br />Now Russia, in search of allies and influence in the area, has announced it will wipe €23.3bn off the debt Cuba owes to Moscow.<br /><br />Havana must pay €2.6bn over 10 years, which Russia says it will invest directly back into the ailing Cuban economy. <br /><br />The deepwater port of Mariel is one project Russia plans to invest in and when complete will attract shipping and foreign business into Cuba.<br /><br />Agreements are being drawn up to allow Russian warships to dock and undergo repairs in Havana. <br /><br />In February the Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov arrived in Havana.<br /><br />Russia is seeking similar docking rights with Venezuela and Nicaragua.
