Russian President Vladimir Putin brokered a nuclear energy agreement Saturday with Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in an attempt to bolster Russia's trade and diplomatic ties with Latin American countries.

According to The New York Times, Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom has made an offer to President Kirchner to help build the third reactor of a nuclear power plant in Argentina.

The leaders of both countries said the nuclear plant projects will be used for peaceful purposes.

Russian energy minister Alexander Novak told reporters that Rosatom could offer "comfortable" financial terms to Argentina, which has the third-largest economy in Latin America. However, Argentina has struggled to progress its nuclear program and attract foreign investors.

"Rosatom is actively working here ... and has already handed over its technical and commercial offer to our (Argentine) colleagues," Novak told reporters, according to Reuters.

Putin said he hopes to build bases in Argentina for its satellite system and collaborate on the use of military technology. He added that he hopes Russian planes and helicopters can be used in the region of Antarctica that is owned by Argentina.

Russia has also expressed interest in Russian companies constructing two hydroelectric plants in Argentina.

Putin's Latin American tour also included a stop in Havana, Cuba, Friday, where he signed deals between Cuban and Russian energy companies, in addition to waiving 90 percent of Cuba's debt that amassed during the Cold War.

A Russian official said Putin is also expected to sign a nuclear deal with Brazil. He will hold talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff before a meeting with the emerging BRIC nations -- Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa -- this week.

While Kirchner and Putin did not announce any deal involving Russian investment in the shale oil and gas field of Vaca Muerta in Patagonia, Kirchner said a Russian delegation will visit the field and weigh its options.

Putin's tour of Latin America is happening, while the West is levying sanctions on Moscow in attempts to get the country to cease aggressive actions in Ukraine, largely because of the annexation of Crimea in March.

President Kirchner has said the United States is hypocritical in its reaction to the annexation of Crimea. She said America condemned the referendum vote for the annexation of Crimea but condoned a similar vote held last year held in the Falklands Islands, an archipelago owned by the U.K., in which residents ostensibly voted to remain under U.K. control.

Putin said he values Argentina's opinions on international policy and that the amount of trade between the two countries has increased "by double digits" in the last year.

"Argentina often has its own opinion. ... But it is always one of its own and is a sovereign one, which is utterly important and cannot be often seen in the modern world. And we highly appreciate that," Putin said Saturday.

Putin's visit also comes as Argentina is facing a major debt crisis. The government has a deadline of July 30 to settle with "holdout investors," who are suing the government for a full repayment of sovereign bonds. Argentina defaulted on the bonds in 2002.