Russia’s lower house of parliament said Tuesday that Russia has agreed to postpone some debt payments owed to it by communist-run Cuba until 2027, just a few days after the two countries announced that they would deepen their ties amid the escalating Ukraine crisis.

The statement released by Duma (lower house) said that Russian lawmakers had ratified an agreement signed initially with Cuban counterparts in Havana in 2021 that amended the loan terms.

The statement further said that the loans, worth $2.3 billion provided to Cuba by Russia between 2006 and 2019, helped underwrite investments in power generation, metals, and transportation infrastructure.

Cuba last week expressed support for Russia in its confrontation with Western powers over Ukraine following a visit from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov. It accused the US and its allies of targeting Moscow with a ‘propaganda war’ and sanctions.

Russia’s decision to postpone some debt owed comes at a time when Cuba is facing a severe social and economic crisis that has led to severe shortages in food and medicine, and it follows last years’ protests that are believed to be the largest since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.

Russia has continued to deliver humanitarian aid and provide loans to Cuba, even though the military and economic ties between the two countries have faded in recent decades.

Over the last decade, Cuba has also restructured its debt with China, Germany, Mexico as well as with Japanese commercial debt holders. In October 2021, Cuba reached a deal with the Paris Club of creditor nations to postpone an annual debt payment in November this year.

Duma chairman Vyacheslav Volodin is expected to visit Cuba and Nicaragua on 23rd and 24th February.