According to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Moscow is set to send a shipment of oil and petroleum products to Cuba soon as part of what is termed "humanitarian assistance." This move comes as Cuba faces severe fuel shortages, exacerbated by increasing pressure from the United States. The diplomatic sources in the Russian embassy in Havana indicated that this support is intended to help Cuba navigate its ongoing energy crisis, which has led to substantial electricity outages and a critical lack of fuel for power generation facilities.

Cuba is currently grappling with one of its worst energy crises, primarily due to a cessation of oil supplies from Venezuela, which had previously been a major supplier. U.S. efforts to exert pressure include threats of tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Havana, prompting the Cuban government to implement emergency measures such as reducing official working days, encouraging remote work, and imposing fuel sales restrictions. The deteriorating situation has pushed the Cuban administration to seek alternative support from allies like Russia.

Furthermore, Former U.S. President Donald Trump had issued an executive order to impose sanctions on any nation providing oil to Cuba, effectively limiting options for the island. As the geopolitical landscape shifts with the support from Russia, the situation raises questions about the future of U.S.-Cuban relations and the potential for further sanctions or diplomatic interventions, while also emphasizing Cuba's reliance on foreign allies for energy security.