U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he allowed a Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba despite the ongoing embargo and sanctions, framing it as a humanitarian gesture.
Trump Permits Russian Oil Shipment to Cuba
President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday reports that he authorized a Russian tanker to deliver Russian oil to Cuba, despite the island’s blockade and existing sanctions. He presented the decision as a humanitarian act.
Trump confirmed earlier reporting by the “New York Times” regarding U.S. approval for the tanker “Anatolij Kołodkin” to deliver Russian oil to Cuba.
“They Have to Survive”
“We have a tanker. We don’t mind if somebody takes it, because they have to survive,” Trump said during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One. “I said, ‘If a country wants to send a little oil to Cuba, I have no problem with it, whether it’s Russia or not.’”
Limited Impact on Russia and Cuba
Trump assessed that the delivery of oil from a single tanker would not significantly help either Russia or the Cuban regime.
Trump’s Disregard for Cuban Regime
“If they want to do it, or other countries want to do it, I don’t care. It’s not going to make a difference. Cuba is finished. They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership. And it doesn’t matter if they get a shipment of oil or not. I’d rather let it go in, whether it’s Russia or whoever, because people need heating, cooling, and everything else,” he explained.
Humanitarian Crisis in Cuba
A months-long maritime blockade of Cuba has caused a worsening humanitarian situation on the island and increasingly frequent power outages.
Previous Statements on Regime Change
Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to pursue regime change in Cuba, and on Friday announced that “Cuba will be next” after Iran.
Contradiction with Existing Sanctions
Trump’s decision appears to contradict existing U.S. sanctions. While the Trump administration initially suspended sanctions on Russian oil already loaded onto ships in early March, it later added provisions stating that this did not apply to shipments of the commodity purchased by entities in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and occupied Ukraine.
