This new shipment to Cuba comes after breaking the three-month energy blockade imposed by the United States and in a context of diplomatic tensions and international sanctions.
Russia Reaffirms Its Economic and Strategic Support for Cuba Through Cooperation in Hydrocarbons and Other Areas.
On Thursday Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsiviliov announced Russia is preparing a second oil shipment to Cuba after the successful arrival of the first cargo, which broke a three-month energy blockade imposed by the United States.
“A Russian ship broke the blockade. Now the second one is being loaded. We will not abandon the Cubans,” Tsiviliov told local media. The official noted that the decision was made after a meeting in St. Petersburg with Cuban representatives, reaffirming bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector.
The tanker ‘Anatoly Kolodkin’ arrived in Cuba this week with 100,000 tons of crude oil, marking the first oil shipment to reach the island in three months.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry stated on social media: “This valuable aid arrives amidst the energy blockade imposed by the United States, which is attempting to suffocate the Cuban population.”
The text reads,”In Russia, we have a saying: “True friends are known in times of trouble.” We have always supported and will continue to provide the necessary support to the brotherly Cuban people. TOGETHER WE WILL OVERCOME!”
Reports from The New York Times confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard did not obstruct the Russian vessel’s passage to the island, despite the existing energy embargo. President Donald Trump downplayed the arrival of the shipment, asserting that the hydrocarbon supply would have no effect on the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed by Washington.
Economic Cooperation
During the session of the Cuba-Russia Intergovernmental Commission held in St. Petersburg, the Russian government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining economic assistance and cooperation with Havana in the face of the crisis stemming from the US embargo.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko announced the full resumption of direct flights and highlighted the tourism sector as an essential pillar of bilateral ties. This statement reinforces the commitment to restoring air connectivity as a cornerstone of the strategic relationship between the two nations.
Regarding the pharmaceutical alliance, Chernyshenko emphasized its strategic value and specified that in 2025 Russia provided Cuba with six tons of raw materials for the production of medicines. Along the same lines, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Russian company Prommed and Cuba’s Center for Molecular Immunology for the joint development of cancer vaccines, expanding scientific and technological collaboration.
The Russian food sector is also boosting bilateral cooperation: nearly 90 companies have expressed their willingness to export meat, dairy, and fish products to the Cuban market, according to the Russian delegation. These actions fall within the framework of economic cooperation agreements aimed at mitigating the effects of the blockade and strengthening food security in Cuba.
Author: HGV/JF
Source: Russian Embassy in Cuba
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