US open to Russian oil shipments to Cuba, Trump says

During a press briefing, Trump was asked whether media reports claiming that the US would allow a Russian tanker to deliver oil to Cuba were true.

"We have a tanker out there. We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need they have to survive. It wouldn't bother. That report is true as far as you know. Well, I would say I told them 'if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that,'" the US President replies.

When asked if this helps Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Trump said that the Russian President is losing one shipment (presumably meaning that Russia won’t profit from this). There will be no benefit for Cuba either.

"If he wants to do that and if other countries want to do it, it doesn't bother me much. It's not going to have an impact. Cuba is 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," the American leader says.

In summary, Trump adds that he would have preferred to allow this shipment because people need heat and electricity.

Background

Cuba is critically dependent on oil shipments, as oil is what keeps the country’s lights on. However, the island has not received supplies for three months due to pressure from the US, leading to repeated blackouts across the country.

Just a few weeks ago, media reports emerged that the tanker Anatoly Kolodkin was heading toward Cuba, carrying about 730,000 barrels of Russian oil.

The media reported that the tanker carrying Russian diesel fuel, which had been headed for Cuba, changed its destination to Trinidad and Tobago following a warning from the US.

Last night, The New York Times reported that the US Coast Guard had allowed a Russian oil tanker to proceed to Cuba. The vessel is expected to arrive at its destination by Tuesday.