Russia Demands End to US Blockade of Cuba, Deputy Foreign Minister Says

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Russia has formally demanded an end to the United States' economic blockade of Cuba, describing the measure as "completely illegal and illegitimate," according to statements made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and reported by TASS. The demand comes as Cuba grapples with a severe fuel and energy crisis that has led to nationwide blackouts and shortages of gasoline, diesel, food, and medicine.

Coverage Comparison

All coverage of this story originates from TASS, the Russian state news agency, which published multiple articles between April 1 and April 15. While the reports share a common source, they emphasize different aspects of Russia's position. Some articles focus on Ryabkov's direct calls for lifting the blockade, while others highlight the practical cooperation between Moscow and Havana, including a Russian oil shipment and discussions about resuming direct flights. Another set of articles covers Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's comments, in which he advised the United States to pursue dialogue and avoided speculating on possible US actions against Cuba.

None of the reports include reactions from US officials or independent verification of the situation on the ground in Cuba.

Key Claims

Russia's Demand to End the Blockade

Ryabkov, in interviews with TASS, has repeatedly urged the lifting of the blockade. In one interview, he stated: "We insist that Cuba's security be protected. We demand an end to the completely illegal and illegitimate blockade of the island." In another, he called for the "absolutely unlawful" blockade to be lifted immediately. These statements were carried by multiple TASS reports, making them the most substantiated claims in the coverage.

Oil Shipment to Cuba

A Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, arrived at the port of Matanzas on March 31, according to TASS. Ryabkov described the delivery as "a victory of common sense," emphasizing that Russia was driven by humanitarian concerns and its close ties with Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla separately thanked Russia for the "recent shipment of oil" during a meeting with Ryabkov in Havana.

Russia's Commitment to Cuba

Ryabkov has been quoted as saying that Russia "stands shoulder to shoulder with Havana" and will continue providing assistance. He also stated that "Russia is not going to leave the western hemisphere, no matter what they say in Washington," and that Cubans are "brothers" to Russians. These emotional appeals underscore the depth of the bilateral relationship, according to the reports.

Discussions on Practical Cooperation

During inter-ministerial consultations in Havana, Ryabkov and Cuban officials discussed several practical issues, including the resumption of direct flights between the two countries and tourism projects. Ryabkov also met with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who "had a fairly detailed conversation about the situation in the country."

Timeline and Context

The current crisis in Cuba began in late January 2026, when the US administration announced measures aimed at fully blocking fuel supplies to the island. This followed a US-led military operation in Venezuela on January 3, which captured President Nicolas Maduro and disrupted oil supplies to Cuba. On January 29, the US signed a decree enabling tariffs on exports from states supplying oil to Cuba. Since then, Cuba's energy grid has failed three times, most recently on March 21, leading to extended blackouts. Several foreign airlines have suspended flights due to a lack of jet fuel.

Russia's decision to send oil, despite the US pressure, is framed by Ryabkov as a principled stance rooted in decades of friendship. The tanker's arrival was celebrated as "a victory of common sense" in Russian state media.

Looking Ahead

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, speaking after an official visit to China, advised the US to engage in dialogue with governments it disagrees with. He noted that Venezuela and Cuba have previously accepted agreements with the US, but Washington has repeatedly stepped back from its commitments. Whether the US will respond to Russia's demands remains unclear, and TASS does not provide any indication of upcoming diplomatic initiatives.

This article is based on reporting from TASS between April 1 and April 15. No independent confirmation of the reported events was available at the time of writing.