US allows Russian oil shipments to crisis-hit Cuba

US President Donald Trump has said he has no objection to oil supplies reaching Cuba, even from Russia. He was responding to a situation in which a Russian tanker carrying a large shipment is approaching a Cuban port.

Cuba has not received any oil for three months, exacerbating the energy crisis, power cuts and fuel shortages.

US policy to date has been to block supplies, particularly after Venezuelan exports were halted.

However, Trump has now stressed that the needs of the population are more important than geopolitical considerations. At the same time, he criticised the Cuban regime and indicated that he would pay closer attention to the country once tensions with Iran have been resolved.

The Russian tanker is carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil, which could support Cuba for several weeks.

Analysts say the situation reflects broader geopolitical shifts, with Russia taking advantage of both the weakening of sanctions and the conflict in the Middle East.

(reuters, pir)