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Trump sees no problem with Cuba receiving Russian oil
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday 29 March that he does not oppose a Russian-flagged oil tanker reaching Cuba, even though such a move would violate the fuel blockade imposed by his administration.
Ukrainska Pravda
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US President Donald Trump said on Sunday 29 March that he does not oppose a Russian-flagged oil tanker reaching Cuba, even though such a move would violate the fuel blockade imposed by his administration.
Details: In recent months, Washington has increased pressure on the island by restricting supplies from its main oil provider, Venezuela. The United States has also threatened other suppliers with additional tariffs, describing Havana as "an extraordinary threat".
The de facto oil blockade has caused power outages and a build-up of rubbish in the capital, while hospitals are struggling to admit patients and keep operating theatres functional due to the energy crisis.
The Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying nearly 730,000 barrels of oil, has been spotted off the coast of Cuba. The vessel may dock at the port of Matanzas, an oil logistics hub, as early as Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists aboard the presidential aircraft on Sunday, Trump confirmed that the tanker is heading to the Caribbean country.
"We have a tanker out there. We don't mind having somebody get a boatload, because they have to survive," he said.
"If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem. I prefer letting it in, whether it's Russia or anybody else, because the people need heat and cooling and all of the other things that you need," Trump added.
Cuba stopped receiving oil from Venezuela after the US arrested President Nicolás Maduro in January.
Background: Recently, Trump made a series of blunt statements suggesting he could deal with Cuba after the operation against Iran and that the US would be able to do whatever it wants with the island due to the hardship caused by the energy shortage there.
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