Putin Pledges Support for Cuba After U.S. Fuel Embargo

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Wednesday that Moscow flatly rejects international sanctions targeting Cuba, pledging unwavering support for the island nation as Washington tightens a sweeping fuel embargo that has plunged the country deeper into crisis.

Speaking during a Kremlin meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla, Putin made clear that Russia's opposition to the measures is non-negotiable.

"And now there's a special period with new sanctions. You know how we feel about this; we will not accept anything of the sort. And the position of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is voiced openly, clearly, and unambiguously," he said.

The Russian leader framed the relationship between Moscow and Havana as historically rooted in solidarity, underscoring the enduring bond between the two nations.

"We know how difficult it has been all these years, all these decades, all the decades of Cuba's independence for the Cuban people in their struggle for the right to live by their own rules and defend their national interests," Putin said, adding that bilateral ties are "developing on a generally positive track."

He further described the partnership as "special," asserting that Russia has always "stood by Cuba in its struggle for independence."

The declarations come as Cuba faces a mounting energy emergency. Washington moved to cut off fuel flows after halting oil shipments from Mexico and Venezuela — the latter linked to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — and subsequently imposed a full fuel embargo on the island. The U.S. has further warned of proportional import tariffs on any nation that attempts to supply Cuba with petroleum.

In a direct countermove, the Russian Embassy in Havana announced last week that Moscow would shortly commence deliveries of oil and petroleum products to Cuba as humanitarian aid.

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