Russian tanker nears Cuba with much-needed oil as Trump softens tone

A Russian tanker full of crude oil ‌has entered Cuban waters and was expected to ‌reach port on Monday, possibly granting a lifeline to ‌Cuba as US President Donald Trump appeared to relax a de facto oil ‌blockade on the Caribbean island.

LSEG ship-monitoring data showed the Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying dome 650,000 barrels of crude oil, was just off the eastern tip of Cuba on Sunday. It was due to reach the port of Matanzas on Monday, the official Cuban news ‌site Cubadebate reported.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, signaled a new flexibility in allowing oil into Cuba, saying, "If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba, right now, I have no problem whether ‌it's Russia or not."

The New York Times, citing a US official briefed on the matter, reported the US Coast Guard allowed the sanctioned vessel to sail to Cuba, though it was unclear why. A move by ​Washington to block the tanker by force, however, could have raised tensions at sea with Russia.

That much oil would provide significant relief to Cuba, which, according to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, has not received any oil imports for three months, leading to strict rationing of gasoline and exacerbating an energy crisis that has resulted in multiple power outages across the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on March 17 expressing support for the government and people of Cuba, pointing out that the US blockade and sanctions have posed serious challenges to Cuba, and emphasizing that Russia is providing and will continue to provide Cuba with the necessary support, including material assistance.

Trump effectively blocked ​all oil shipments to Cuba earlier this year in an attempt to pressure the government in Havana.

(With input from Reuters)