On Saturday, Russia's Foreign Ministry proclaimed that Moscow will not seek any country's approval to export its oil, a direct rhetorical rebuttal to Washington's pressure regarding Russian oil shipments to Cuba.
Dmitry Birichevsky, head of the Economic Cooperation Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, emphasized that oil supply matters are a national sovereignty issue, stating that remarks from other nations on this matter "are met with bewilderment."
"Russia WILL NOT seek permission from other countries to SUPPLY its oil," declared the official, presenting a new challenge to the Trump administration.
This statement circulated on social media by the Russian Embassy in South Africa comes just days after the Kremlin admitted to negotiating with Washington for the Anatoli Kolodkin tanker to dock at Matanzas port.
The Anatoli Kolodkin arrived in Matanzas on March 30-31 with about 100,000 metric tons of crude, approximately 730,000 barrels, marking the first significant oil supply to Cuba in nearly three months.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov confirmed that the shipment was previously discussed with the United States, and President Donald Trump authorized the ship's entry for humanitarian reasons: "I prefer to let it in, whether it's from Russia or any other country, because people need heating, cooling, and other basic necessities."
This shipment only covers seven to ten days of Cuba's total consumption, which requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels daily to sustain its power system and economy.
Cuba's energy crisis worsened since January 2026, when Venezuela halted shipments following Nicolás Maduro's capture and Mexico reduced its supplies, which accounted for 44% of Cuban imports in 2025.
The Trump administration has tightened the energy blockade on the island: on January 29, it declared a national emergency due to threats posed by Cuba and authorized additional tariffs on countries supplying it with oil.
On March 20, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued license 134A explicitly excluding Cuba from temporary exemptions granted to other countries for Russian crude in transit.
A second Russian vessel, the Sea Horse, carrying about 27,000 tons of diesel, was redirected to Trinidad and Tobago and then to Venezuelan waters under OFAC pressure, with no confirmation of its arrival in Cuba.
Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev presented this second shipment on April 2 at the Energoprom-2026 forum in St. Petersburg as a breach of the "blockade," aligning with Birichevsky's current propagandistic stance.
Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero publicly thanked Russia for the shipment, though they admitted its insufficiency amid a deficit exceeding 2,000 megawatts and blackouts lasting up to twenty hours a day.
The Kremlin's bravado contrasts with reality: Russia negotiated with Washington over every barrel sent to Cuba, while the Cuban populace continues to endure the consequences of seven decades of dictatorship, marked by darkness and scarcity.
Key Questions on Russia's Oil Shipments to Cuba
Why did Russia refuse to seek permission for oil shipments to Cuba?
Russia's stance is based on the principle of national sovereignty, asserting that decisions regarding the supply of its oil are internal matters and not subject to external approval.
What was the significance of the Anatoli Kolodkin's arrival in Cuba?
The Anatoli Kolodkin's delivery marked the first substantial oil supply to Cuba in months, providing temporary relief amid the island's ongoing energy crisis.
How has the Trump administration responded to Cuba's energy situation?
The Trump administration declared a national emergency over Cuba's threats and imposed additional tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island, further tightening the energy embargo.