Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Havana has proved extremely good for Cuba.<br/> <br />After talks with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro Putin unveiled a deal to write off 32 billion dollars of old Soviet debt.<br/> <br />That's 90 per cent of the total. He said the other ten per cent would be reinvested in Cuban development projects.<br/> <br />The deal is in defiance of a 52-year-old U.S. economic embargo.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYING:<br/> <br />"We will continue to lend help to Cuba against the illegal and illegitimate blockade of the United States on Cuba."<br/> <br />Putin's trying to boost relations with Cuba with which Russia had close ties during the Cold War.<br/> <br />Russia is still one of Communist Cuba's biggest export partners.<br/> <br />The two countries are looking to finalise a deal for oil exploration off Cuba's north coast.<br/> <br />Putin left Havana on Friday after meeting former Cuban president Fidel Castro.<br/> <br />His trip came at a time when the We
