Russia welcomes arrival of oil tanker in Cuba amid U.S. oil blockade
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- A Russian-flagged oil tanker carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil arrived in Cuba, with Moscow stating it had discussed energy supplies to the fuel-starved island with the U.S. prior to delivery.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia's duty to assist Cuba amid a de facto U.S. oil blockade, as the Caribbean nation faces a severe energy crisis following the cutoff of Venezuelan oil supplies.
- U.S. President Donald Trump expressed no objection to the Russian oil delivery, despite previously threatening tariffs on countries sending crude to Cuba, citing humanitarian needs such as heating and cooling for the Cuban people.
- Cuba, grappling with power blackouts and hospital struggles, has not received oil shipments in over three months and is seeking to increase solar power generation while holding talks with the U.S.
- The shipment is viewed as a critical lifeline for Cuba, which is enduring its worst energy crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions and military pressure on Venezuela.
