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Russian oil tanker docks in Cuba after US allows passage despite energy blockade | Euronews
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By  Gavin Blackburn Published on 31/03/2026 - 18:40 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copied Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. It's a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated." The vessel's arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun. "We've been waiting for the ship to arrive because it’s been some time since any ship entered," said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. "And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba." Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. People walk on a street in the dark during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026 AP Photo Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island. Related 'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy." Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
## Summary
By  Gavin Blackburn Published on 31/03/2026 - 18:40 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copied Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. It's a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated." The vessel's arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun. "We've been waiting for the ship to arrive because it’s been some time since any ship entered," said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. "And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba." Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. People walk on a street in the dark during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026 AP Photo Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island. Related 'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy." Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
## Article Content
By 
Gavin Blackburn
Published on
31/03/2026 - 18:40 GMT+2
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Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January.
A Russian tanker docked at the Cuban port of Matanzas on Tuesday carrying 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first time in three months that an oil tanker reached the island.
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The administration of President Donald Trump had allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed despite an ongoing US energy blockade.
Cubans including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy cheered the ship's arrival. A shortage of petroleum has exacerbated a deep economic crisis that has left the population mired in long blackouts and facing a severe shortage of food and medicine.
"Our gratitude to the Government and People of Russia for all the support we are receiving. A valuable shipment that arrives amid the complex energy situation we are facing," de la O Levy wrote on X.
Cuba produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba's daily demand for nine or 10 days.
People spend the night in the dark on the Malecon during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026
AP Photo
"The arrival of an oil tanker to a country has likely never generated so much news as the Russian one to Cuba," wrote Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío on X.
"It's a sign of the brutal siege Cubans endure with heroism and stoicism. It's a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated."
The vessel's arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun.
"We've been waiting for the ship to arrive because it’s been some time since any ship entered," said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. "And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba."
Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January.
People walk on a street in the dark during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026
AP Photo
Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island.
On Sunday night, Trump had said he had "no problem" with the Russian vessel off Cuba's coast from delivering relief to the island.
"We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need…they have to survive," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington.
"Cuba's finished," he added. "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."
The Anatoly Kolodkin is sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.
Related
'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created
Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis
On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy."
Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
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Trump says 'no problem' for Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba
Cuba readies for first Russian oil shipment of the year as energy crisis deepens
Trump vows to 'take' Cuba as US oil embargo triggers power grid collapse
Donald Trump
Russia
Cuba
blackout
Oil
United States
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
- A valuable shipment that arrives amid the complex energy situation we are facing," de la O Levy wrote on X.
### Areas for Consideration
- On Sunday night, Trump had said he had "no problem" with the Russian vessel off Cuba's coast from delivering relief to the island. "We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need…they have to survive," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington. "Cuba's finished," he added. "They have a bad regime.
- Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Read more Trump says 'no problem' for Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba Cuba readies for first Russian oil shipment of the year as energy crisis deepens Trump vows to 'take' Cuba as US oil embargo triggers power grid collapse Donald Trump Russia Cuba blackout Oil United States
### Implications
- Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba's daily demand for nine or 10 days.
- Related 'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy." Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
### Expert Commentary
This article covers cuba, oil, trump topics. Notable strengths include discussion of cuba. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 716.
By  Gavin Blackburn Published on 31/03/2026 - 18:40 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copied Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. It's a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated." The vessel's arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun. "We've been waiting for the ship to arrive because it’s been some time since any ship entered," said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. "And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba." Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January. People walk on a street in the dark during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026 AP Photo Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island. Related 'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy." Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
## Article Content
By 
Gavin Blackburn
Published on
31/03/2026 - 18:40 GMT+2
Share
Comments
Share
Send
Messenger
Telegram
VK
Bluesky
Threads
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:
Copied
Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January.
A Russian tanker docked at the Cuban port of Matanzas on Tuesday carrying 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first time in three months that an oil tanker reached the island.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The administration of President Donald Trump had allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed despite an ongoing US energy blockade.
Cubans including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy cheered the ship's arrival. A shortage of petroleum has exacerbated a deep economic crisis that has left the population mired in long blackouts and facing a severe shortage of food and medicine.
"Our gratitude to the Government and People of Russia for all the support we are receiving. A valuable shipment that arrives amid the complex energy situation we are facing," de la O Levy wrote on X.
Cuba produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba's daily demand for nine or 10 days.
People spend the night in the dark on the Malecon during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026
AP Photo
"The arrival of an oil tanker to a country has likely never generated so much news as the Russian one to Cuba," wrote Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío on X.
"It's a sign of the brutal siege Cubans endure with heroism and stoicism. It's a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated."
The vessel's arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun.
"We've been waiting for the ship to arrive because it’s been some time since any ship entered," said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. "And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba."
Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the US attacked the South American country and arrested its leader Nicolás Maduro in early January.
People walk on a street in the dark during a blackout in Havana, 21 March, 2026
AP Photo
Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island.
On Sunday night, Trump had said he had "no problem" with the Russian vessel off Cuba's coast from delivering relief to the island.
"We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need…they have to survive," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington.
"Cuba's finished," he added. "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."
The Anatoly Kolodkin is sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.
Related
'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created
Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis
On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy."
Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share
Comments
Read more
Trump says 'no problem' for Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba
Cuba readies for first Russian oil shipment of the year as energy crisis deepens
Trump vows to 'take' Cuba as US oil embargo triggers power grid collapse
Donald Trump
Russia
Cuba
blackout
Oil
United States
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
- A valuable shipment that arrives amid the complex energy situation we are facing," de la O Levy wrote on X.
### Areas for Consideration
- On Sunday night, Trump had said he had "no problem" with the Russian vessel off Cuba's coast from delivering relief to the island. "We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need…they have to survive," Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington. "Cuba's finished," he added. "They have a bad regime.
- Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Read more Trump says 'no problem' for Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba Cuba readies for first Russian oil shipment of the year as energy crisis deepens Trump vows to 'take' Cuba as US oil embargo triggers power grid collapse Donald Trump Russia Cuba blackout Oil United States
### Implications
- Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba's daily demand for nine or 10 days.
- Related 'Cuba will fall very soon,' says Trump as Shield of the Americas alliance created Fuel shortages tighten grip on Cuba as US blockade deepens energy crisis On Monday, when asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise," adding that "there's been no firm change in our sanctions policy." Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance, all while both sides acknowledged talks as the island's economic and energy crises deepen.
### Expert Commentary
This article covers cuba, oil, trump topics. Notable strengths include discussion of cuba. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 716.
cuba
oil
trump
energy
russian
tanker
since
country
