US President Donald Trump has said he would not mind a Russian oil tanker docking in Cuban waters to deliver supplies, despite the US imposing strict sanctions on the island.
Trump said he would not block the delivery of oil supplies to Cuba via available tankers, as the country needs aid for its people to survive.
When asked about a New York Times report that the tanker was allowed to reach Cuba, Trump confirmed that he would not mind if any country, including Russia, wanted to send oil to Cuba.
Satellite data shows that the Anatoly Kolodkin tanker, carrying around 730,000 barrels of oil, is now off the east coast of Cuba, bound for Matanzas.
Cuban state media also reported the vessel's arrival, although Cuban officials have yet to make any official statement.
The vessel reportedly has the approval of the US, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK), despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ironically, the Trump administration had previously imposed the most aggressive sanctions on Cuba in modern history, cutting off key oil supplies as pressure for regime change.
The sanctions have had a devastating impact on ordinary people on the island, who are now facing power outages, gasoline shortages, and crises in hospitals and public transportation.
Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both stressed their desire to help the Cuban people trapped in this crisis, even though their own actions have contributed to the suffering.
Experts estimate that the oil shipment could supply about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to supply Cuba with daily needs for 9 to 10 days.
The geopolitical conflict between the US and Russia, which has been going on for the past decade, has made Cuba a hotbed of fierce fighting.
Trump rejected the view that the decision to allow the ship to dock would give Russian President Vladimir Putin an advantage.
Meanwhile, he has also expressed his desire to take over Cuba, considering the country to be very weak at the moment.
Since the recent oil supply from Venezuela, Cuba has relied on natural gas, solar energy and its own oil reserves to power its power plants.
However, frequent power outages continue to affect the daily lives of its citizens.
Trump’s move highlights the dilemma between political pressure and humanitarian reality. Sanctions aimed at weakening the government are now being eased to avoid a more serious social crisis.
This paradox raises questions about the effectiveness of economic sanctions as a political tool in dealing with international conflicts.
