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Trump says US does not oppose oil supplies to Cuba from Russia and others
US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington does not object to countries, including Russia, supplying oil to Cuba.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked about media reports suggesting that the US would allow a Russian tanker to deliver oil to the island.
“We have a tanker there. If someone wants to deliver oil — we don’t mind, they need to survive. I said: ‘If any country wants to send oil to Cuba — I have no objections,’” he stated.
When asked whether this would benefit Vladimir Putin, Trump responded that Russia would not gain much from a single shipment. He also suggested that Cuba itself would not significantly benefit.
“Let them send it if they want. It won’t change the situation. Cuba is basically finished as a country. They have poor leadership. One shipment of oil won’t make a difference,” he said.
At the same time, Trump added that he would prefer to allow such deliveries because “people need heat and electricity.”
Background
Cuba remains highly dependent on oil imports, which are critical for electricity generation. However, the island has reportedly faced a shortage of supplies for several months, leading to repeated blackouts.
Earlier reports indicated that a Russian tanker carrying around 730,000 barrels of oil was heading toward Cuba. Subsequently, another tanker with Russian diesel reportedly changed course after US remarks, before new information suggested that US authorities allowed at least one vessel to proceed to the island.
