Russia will keep helping Cuba, diplomat says after first oil tanker arrives

## Summary
Advertisement World Russia will keep helping Cuba, diplomat says after first oil tanker arrives Russia's foreign ministry said it will keep supporting Cuba during its energy crisis after sending an oil shipment. Russian-flagged oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin manoeuvres at the Matanzas bay, Cuba, Mar 31, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Norlys Perez) 02 Apr 2026 04:36AM Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST MOSCOW: Russia will keep providing assistance to Cuba, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday (Apr 1), a day after a Russian oil tanker provided the fuel-starved island with its first shipment of crude in months. Related: Trump reverses course on Cuban oil blockade, allows Russian tanker to pass Missing Cuba-bound aid boats located, crew reported safe Source: AFP/fs Sign up for our newsletters Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox Subscribe here Get the CNA app Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories Download here Get WhatsApp alerts Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app Join here Related Topics Russia Cuba Donald Trump Advertisement Also worth reading Content is loading...

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World
Russia will keep helping Cuba, diplomat says after first oil tanker arrives
Russia's foreign ministry said it will keep supporting Cuba during its energy crisis after sending an oil shipment.
Russian-flagged oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin manoeuvres at the Matanzas bay, Cuba, Mar 31, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Norlys Perez)
02 Apr 2026 04:36AM
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MOSCOW:
Russia will keep providing assistance to Cuba, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday (Apr 1), a day after a Russian oil tanker provided the fuel-starved island with its first shipment of crude in months.
Cuba has been
suffering from an energy crisis
since January, when US forces
abducted Venezuelan president
and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro.
His removal deprived Cuba of its main oil supplier.
"Cuba is our closest friend and partner in the Caribbean and we don't have the right to abandon it. Assistance to Cuba will continue," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a weekly briefing.
A Russian tanker entered the Cuban port of Matanzas on Tuesday carrying 730,000 barrels of oil following a three-week journey from Russia.
Moscow historically maintains close ties to Havana and has criticised Washington for blocking fuel deliveries to the island.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had "no problem" with Russia sending oil to the island.
"Cuba's finished. They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil it's not going to matter," he said.
Related:
Trump reverses course on Cuban oil blockade, allows Russian tanker to pass
Missing Cuba-bound aid boats located, crew reported safe
Source: AFP/fs
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he had "no problem" with Russia sending oil to the island. "Cuba's finished.

### Implications
- Advertisement World Russia will keep helping Cuba, diplomat says after first oil tanker arrives Russia's foreign ministry said it will keep supporting Cuba during its energy crisis after sending an oil shipment.
- Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST MOSCOW: Russia will keep providing assistance to Cuba, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday (Apr 1), a day after a Russian oil tanker provided the fuel-starved island with its first shipment of crude in months.
- Assistance to Cuba will continue," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a weekly briefing.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers cuba, oil, russia topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 434.