A vehicle refuels at a gas station in Havana on January 28, 2026.
Yamil Raji | AFP | Getty Images
The Kremlin said Thursday it was actively discussing what aid it could provide to fuel-starved Cuba, dismissing U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat to sanction countries that send oil to the Caribbean island.
“We do not want any escalation, but on the other hand, there is not much trade happening right now,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
His comments came in response to a question about whether the Kremlin was concerned about the Trump administration’s tariff threats.
The White House has vowed to impose tariffs on countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba, saying the communist-run government poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat.”
The United States has stepped up its pressure campaign against Cuba’s leadership since January 3, when it launched an unprecedented military operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a longtime ally of the Cuban government.
Peskov reportedly said on Thursday that Russia would strive for “constructive dialogue” with the United States over Cuba’s worsening energy crisis.
“For obvious reasons, it is clear that it is impossible to discuss these issues so publicly at the moment,” Peskov said.
Cuba, which has been subject to a U.S. embargo for more than 60 years, is mired in a worsening economic crisis.
Therefore, the Cuban government recently announced an outline of emergency measures aimed at protecting essential services and fuel supplies to key sectors.
The plan reportedly includes limiting fuel sales, closing some tourist facilities, shortening school days and reducing the working week at state-owned enterprises to four days, Monday through Thursday.
Cuba’s leadership warned on Sunday that international airlines will no longer be able to refuel in the country as aviation fuel shortages continue.
air canada It has since canceled all flights to the island, but the airline announced on Monday that it would be repatriating some 3,000 customers already in the country over the next few days.
