“This situation was certainly raised upfront throughout our contacts with our American counterparts,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters, with out offering extra particulars. File.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Russia is happy {that a} cargo of its oil reached Cuba, the Kremlin stated on Monday (March 30, 2026), after U.S. President Donald Trump stated he was not bothered by the supply regardless of Washington’s de facto blockade of the island.
Russia despatched the Anatoly Kolodkin, a sanctioned oil tanker carrying 7,30,000 barrels of crude, to Cuba earlier this month because the Communist-run island grappled with gas shortages.
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Delivery knowledge confirmed it crusing off Cuba’s northeast coast on Monday (March 30, 2026) nevertheless it was not instantly clear whether or not it had docked at a port.
Russia is a detailed ally of Havana and has criticised Washington for blocking gas deliveries to the island.
“Russia considers it its responsibility to step up and supply needed help to our Cuban pals,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters.
“We’re happy that this cargo of petroleum merchandise will arrive on the island, or moderately, it has already arrived,” he added.
The cargo of oil can be the primary to Havana since January, when U.S. forces kidnapped Venezuelan President and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro in a raid.
Mr. Maduro’s elimination disadvantaged Cuba of its principal oil provider and triggered an power disaster on the island, sending gas costs hovering and triggering day by day blackouts.
Mr. Trump stated on Sunday (March 29, 2026) he had “no downside” with Russia sending oil to the island.
“Cuba’s completed. They’ve a foul regime. They’ve very dangerous and corrupt management and whether or not or not they get a ship of oil will not be going to matter,” he stated.
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The Kremlin’s Peskov stated Moscow and Washington had been in contact over the cargo.
“This situation was certainly raised upfront throughout our contacts with our American counterparts,” he informed reporters, with out offering extra particulars.
Printed – March 30, 2026 10:30 pm IST