DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin is visiting Latin America in an apparent bid to seek allies to counter US and Western influence.

In Cuba, the first stop of his tour, he met leader Raul Castro, and his predecessor and brother Fidel Castro.

Russia confirmed cancellation of 90% of Cuba’s debt two days before the visit.

Putin will also travel to Argentina and Brazil, where he will attend the football World Cup final on Sunday as leader of the next host nation.

Later he will attend a summit of the Brics emerging economies, also including India, China and South Africa, in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza.

‘Today, co-operation with Latin American states is one of the key and promising lines of Russia’s foreign policy,’ Putin told Cuban state media, reports the BBC.

‘We are grateful to South Americans for the support of our international initiatives,’ the Russian leader added.

Putin and Raul Castro visited a cemetery in the Cuban capital to commemorate Soviet soldiers.

BDST: 1951 HRS, JUL 12, 2014