Vladimir Putin is visiting Argentina as part of his Latin American tour in an apparent bid to seek allies to counter US and Western influence.

The Russian president spent Friday in Cuba – the first stop of his tour – before making an unexpected visit to Nicaragua, the first by a Russian leader.

Vladimir Putin will meet left-wing regional heads of state in Argentina.

Vladimir Putin has been holding bilateral talks with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during his visit to Argentina

He goes onto Brazil to attend the football World Cup final on July 13.

Russia will host the next tournament in 2018.

Later Vladimir Putin will attend a summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) emerging economies in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza.

Vladimir Putin has been holding bilateral talks with Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Correspondents say Argentina is desperate for foreign investment as it faces a possible default after investors rejected its debt restructuring.

Vladimir Putin will then have dinner with other South American leaders including the presidents of Venezuela, Bolivia and Uruguay.

[youtube hyOqgq02-jw 650]