The Kremlin on Thursday confirmed that it is actively exploring ways to assist Cuba amid its severe fuel shortages, dismissing U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to the Caribbean nation.
“We don’t want any escalation, but at the same time, our trade is currently limited,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to RIA Novosti, addressing concerns over the White House’s threats.
The Trump administration has warned it will levy tariffs on any country providing oil to Cuba, directly or indirectly, citing the Cuban government as an “unusual and extraordinary threat.” U.S. pressure on Cuba has intensified since January 3, when it carried out a military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of Havana.
Peskov noted that Moscow intends to engage in “constructive dialogue” with Washington regarding Cuba’s deepening energy crisis but added that public discussions of the matter are not feasible at the moment.
Cuba, subject to a U.S. trade embargo for more than six decades, is facing a worsening economic and energy crisis. In response, its government has implemented emergency measures to safeguard essential services and ration fuel for critical sectors.
These measures reportedly include restrictions on fuel sales, temporary closure of some tourist facilities, shortened school days, and a reduction of the workweek to four days for state-owned enterprises.
On Sunday, Cuban authorities warned that international airlines would no longer be able to refuel in the country due to the ongoing shortage of aviation fuel, highlighting the severity of the crisis.