St Petersburg, June 20 (RHC-EFE) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday in St Petersburg that he views the rapprochement between Cuba and the U.S. as a positive step, EFE news agency reports.

Putin made the remarks during an interview with the presidents of the world's 12 largest news agencies, including EFE.

Asked about Latin America, Putin said the region is a priority for Russia and that Moscow intends to pursue expanded political collaboration with Latin American countries.

With regards to Cuba, the Russian president offered explicit support for the diplomatic thaw between Havana and Washington and the ongoing economic and social reforms in the Caribbean nation.

Putin also mentioned the suffering of the Cuban people from the U.S. economic blockade, saying the end of the sanctions would be positive for Cuba and for the rest of the hemisphere.