Russia will continue supplying oil to Cuba despite mounting pressure from the United States, Moscow’s ambassador to Havana said on Thursday, underscoring long‑standing energy ties between the two countries amid a deepening geopolitical standoff.
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“We assume that this practice will continue,” Russian Ambassador Viktor Coronelli told the state news agency RIA, reiterating that Moscow has been a steady source of crude and petroleum products for Cuba in recent years. The pledge came as Washington intensifies diplomatic and economic pressure on nations that sell fuel to the Caribbean island.
🇺🇸⚔️🇨🇺🇷🇺🇲🇽 In the face of increasing US aggression, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it would cancel $30B of debt owed by Cuba.
▪️ Foreign Minister Lavrov announced that Russia will provide financial and political support to Cuba in the face of the economic crisis… pic.twitter.com/wHJSJVcCrg
— Jason Zaharis 🇷🇺 (@ZaharisJason) February 4, 2026
Last week, US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency regarding Cuba, branding the island’s government an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and authorising tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Havana. The White House said the measure is intended to counter Cuba’s alleged alignment with adversarial states and groups, and to safeguard US foreign policy interests.
The tougher US stance has disrupted oil routes to Cuba, with traditional suppliers such as Venezuela halting deliveries under pressure from Washington. Venezuela’s cuts, combined with threats of tariffs, have contributed to severe fuel shortages on the island, pushing up transportation and food prices and triggering hours‑long blackouts in Havana and elsewhere.
Cuban officials have condemned the US measures as an attempt to “suffocate” the economy and undermine sovereignty. Public demonstrations and official denunciations have reflected widespread concern about further cuts to vital energy supplies.
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Russia’s renewed commitment highlights its strategic importance for Cuba’s energy security. While Moscow’s continued deliveries may offer short‑term relief to Havana, analysts warn that Cuba’s broader energy outlook remains vulnerable as geopolitical pressures intensify and traditional suppliers curtail shipments.