Cuba's unpredictable turn toward socialism and its growing dependence on the Soviet Union divided both the leadership and the country as a whole. With a relationship dating back to before Fidel Castro came to power, Russia and Cuba have both played major roles in the development and regression of their respective economies and societies. The first official diplomatic relationship between the Soviet Union and Cuba began to develop during World War II. , in 1943. With the creation of the first Soviet embassy by Maxim Litvinov, stationed in Havana, Cuba; this was after Cuba gained independence from the United States in 1902 and the Russian Revolution in 1917. Litvinov was a Russian revolutionary and a prominent Soviet ambassador. Due to communist action in Russia, Cuba temporarily ended these relations. Russia considered Cuba an unimportant territory, mainly due to its proximity to the United States, its size, and its distance from Russia; which makes defense more difficult. The relationship was officially confirmed and expressed when Cuban representatives visited Moscow, Russia, later in 1943. Fifteen years later, Fidel Castro, a communist revolutionary and politician who promised and ensured freedom for Cubans, led what is now known as the Cuban Revolution. Often called the "26th of July Movement," the armed revolt that began in 1956 and lasted until 1959 resulted in the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista, a brutal U.S.-sponsored Cuban dictator. With the use of guerrilla warfare, Castro overthrew Batista. After Batista's fall and exile, Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba and transformed the country into a major aspect of the Soviet Union...... middle of paper...... t mutual cooperation in high technology. This would ultimately make it possible to intensify the partnership in the fields of biological medicine, genetic engineering and telecommunications. Russia then shared its weapons production technology with Cuba by providing a military facility near Havana, Cuba, with a line that could yield cartridges; specifically those designed for use with Russian weapons. Cuba and Russia consistently help each other after natural disasters - those like Hurricane Sandy that hit Cuba in 2012, with economic aid - a plan was put in place that eliminated about 90 percent of the $32 billion of Cuba's debt owed to Russia, along with artillery - providing each other with the most advanced technology needed to strengthen their counties' defense systems. Many possible investments and trade opportunities are opening up between the two, leading to more prosperous economies and societies..