The Government of Russia confirmed this Thursday that it is holding talks with Cuba to arrange shipments of oil and derivatives to the islandin a context marked by the US oil siege and the growing pressures of the Trump Administration.
The Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, assured that Moscow has been in contact with the Cuban authorities and that evaluate different energy support optionsalthough he avoided offering public details for “understandable reasons,” the newspaper reported Granma.
“During all these days we have been in contact with our Cuban friends and we have been discussing options to help them,” declared Peskov, stressing that energy cooperation is part of the historical relationship between both countries.
The statements respond to information published by the Russian media Izvestiawho pointed out that Russia prepares a shipment of oil to send to Cubaciting Russian diplomatic sources.
The Russian embassy in Havana had already announced that Moscow is preparing an upcoming shipment of oil and derived products as humanitarian aidwith the aim of alleviating the energy crisis that the island is going through, exacerbated after the events of January 3 in Venezuela.
The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, María Zajárova, affirmed that Washington’s policy seeks to suffocate Cuba and punish its population, in a strategy that, according to her, violates basic principles of international law.
For his part, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Riabkov, assured this Friday that Russia will materially help Cuba despite the “very strong pressure” from the United States. said an agency office EFE.
The Kremlin does not want an escalation with the US
“We are, without a doubt, in solidarity with Cuba. We will help it, including materially. It is already being done,” Dmitri Peskov declared to the agency. TASS.
The spokesperson added that other countries friendly to Havana, including members of the BRICS forum, are also doing “the maximum possible.”
Nevertheless, He ruled out Moscow seeking a direct confrontation with the United States over this matter..
“We would not want any type of escalation. But, on the other hand, at this moment we have practically no trade with the United States,” he said, recalling that bilateral relations are already practically paralyzed by previous sanctions.
The announcement of Russia joins other gestures of international support towards the islandwhich is looking for energy alternatives in the midst of a crisis that has deepened the economic decline and the daily difficulties of the population.
Among the nations that have already sent or expressed their intention to help Cuba in this difficult scenario are Mexico, China, Chile and Vietnam.
The first humanitarian aid from Mexico arrives in Cuba and Díaz-Canel thanks it
Russia: Cuba is our most important partner in Latin America
In parallel, the Russian ambassador in Havana, Víktor Koronelli, recently granted a exclusive interview with the channel Russia Today in which he reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to the island. The diplomat stressed that “the vast majority of countries are on the Cuban side” and that, in addition to political support, Cuba needs material support.
Koronelli recalled that Russia supplies food through the World Food Program (WFP) and assured that these shipments will continue.
He also announced that a meeting of the Russian-Cuban Intergovernmental Commission for Commercial, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation is scheduled for April in Moscow, where joint projects will be reviewed and new initiatives will be sought.
The ambassador acknowledged that the fuel crisis affects some bilateral plans, but insisted that “Cuba was, is and continues to be our most important partner in Latin America”.
He added that bilateral relations are “at the height of strategic cooperation” and that both countries will continue to “overcome difficulties.”
