Russia to reconsider ties with Cuban govt

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said yesterday it was time for Russia to rebuild links with former Cold War ally Cuba, news agencies reported.

The Kremlin is angry at US plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, and last month a news report suggested Russia might use Cuba, a thorn in America's side for half a century, as a refuelling stop for nuclear-capable bombers.

The Russian Defense Ministry denied the report and said it had no plans to open any military bases abroad, but a top US general was drawn to say such a move would cross a "red line".