MOSCOW, August 13 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin congratulated Cuban leader Fidel Castro with his 80th anniversary, the presidential press office said Sunday.

"You are well known in Russia as one of the most prominent and bright political leaders of contemporaneity," the president's congratulatory letter says.

"We highly value your invariable commitment to strengthening Russian-Cuban relations, which have been permeated for many decades by the feelings of mutual respect and sympathy... I express the confidence that Russia and Cuba will in the future remain active partners aimed at developing interaction in various areas in the interests of the peoples of both countries and ensuring peace and stability."

Putin also wished Castro the quickest recovery from surgery, the presidential press office said.