(Xinhua) -- A senior Russian parliamentarian said Russia is resuming its military presence in Cuba, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Saturday. "Russia should take advantage of all its capabilities to protect its national interests, including the interests in the field of security," said Andrei Klimov, deputy head of the International Affairs Committee at the State Duma, lower house of the parliament. Russia should "own its supporting points" in different regions in the world, Klimov said, noting that "Cuba's location has geopolitical importance" and a presence in both economic and military affairs must be built in America.
The lawmaker did not rule out the possibility of a military presence on the Caribbean Island just off the U.S. coast. "It's possible Russia could do this in response to the U.S. plans to place a missile defense system near the border of Russia," he said, adding that Russia's plans would not involve targeting its missiles at the United States.