MOSCOW, June 3. /TASS/. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, head of the United Russia party, held a phone conversation with Raul Castro, a Cuban Revolution leader, on the occasion of his 92nd birthday, Medvedev’s secretariat reported on Saturday.

"Medvedev extended heartfelt birthday greetings to Castro and wished him good health, well-being and a long life. The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council pointed out that Castro has been a symbol of the struggle for the ideals of the country’s freedom and independence throughout numerous generations of the Cuban people. In addition, he thanked Castro for many years of fruitful cooperation and an enormous personal contribution to forging the relationship of strategic partnership between our countries," the secretariat said.

Additionally, Medvedev conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s greetings and best wishes to Castro.

Raul Castro, a Cuban politician and statesman, was born on June 3, 1931. From 2008 through 2018, he headed Cuba’s Council of State and Council of Ministers (which had been the highest-ranking position in the country until 2019). He was also first secretary of the Central Committee of Cuba’s Communist Party from 2011 to 2021.