A sanctioned Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of oil was allowed by the U.S. to sail to Cuba.

Green Light for Cuba Oil Delivery

According to Novyny.live: Despite sanctions against Russia and the island's energy blockade, the United States granted permission for the Russian tanker 'Anatoly Kolodkin' to deliver 730,000 barrels of oil to Cuba. The vessel departed from Primorsk on March 9 and is currently positioned near Cuban territorial waters, with the possibility of reaching the port of Matanzas by Monday evening.

The tanker is owned by Sovcomflot, a company that has been under U.S. sanctions since 2024. However, the administration of Donald Trump chose not to block the ship, sparking debate about Washington's policy toward both Russia and Cuba.

“We don’t mind if someone gets a whole ship because they need it—they need to survive.” - Donald Trump

International Relations and Energy Security

Russia continues to support Cuba, deeming the restrictions against it illegal. This situation highlights the complexity of international relations and their impact on regional energy security.

The case illustrates how political decisions can directly affect the energy situation in countries under sanctions. Allowing oil deliveries to Cuba, despite the sanctions regime, may signal a desire to maintain economic ties between Russia and Cuba. It could also affect U.S. relations with allies in the region, as continued cooperation between Havana and Moscow may hinder Western efforts to isolate the Kremlin.