The Kremlin on Monday welcomed the arrival of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in Cuba, describing the shipment as part of Moscow’s effort to support the island amid a deepening energy crisis.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia considers it its responsibility to assist Cuba, which is facing severe fuel shortages under what officials describe as a de facto U.S. oil blockade.

The tanker, identified as the sanctioned vessel Anatoly Kolodkin, is carrying a large shipment of crude oil intended to ease widespread shortages that have led to blackouts and economic strain across the island.

The delivery comes after President Donald Trump signaled he would not oppose oil shipments to Cuba, including those from Russia, marking a shift from earlier U.S. efforts to restrict fuel supplies to the country.

Cuba has been grappling with one of its most severe energy crises in decades, exacerbated by the loss of key oil supplies following U.S. actions against Nicolás Maduro and subsequent restrictions on Venezuelan exports.

The Russian shipment is being viewed as a critical lifeline for Havana, helping to stabilize fuel supplies at a time when the island has gone months without significant oil deliveries.

Despite U.S. threats to penalize countries supplying crude to Cuba, Russia has downplayed the impact of such measures, noting the limited economic ties between Moscow and Washington.

The arrival of the tanker highlights shifting geopolitical dynamics, with Russia stepping in to support Cuba as global energy markets remain volatile and supply chains strained.