Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Cuban International Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla throughout their assembly on the Senate Palace of the Kremlin in Moscow on February 18, 2026.
Pavel Bednyakov | Afp | Getty Photographs
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply criticized the Trump administration’s gas blockade on Cuba, saying Moscow considers the most recent restrictions unacceptable.
His feedback come because the island nation grapples with a worsening financial disaster, one which has been in comparison with its greatest take a look at because the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“This can be a particular interval, with new sanctions. You know the way we really feel about this. We don’t settle for something like this,” Putin stated on Wednesday throughout a gathering with Cuban International Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, in response to Russian information company Tass.
Russia, which has been allied to Cuba for many years, has not too long ago described Havana’s gas state of affairs as “actually essential” and stated it’s actively discussing what assist it could possibly present to the nation.
“We’ve at all times been on Cuba’s aspect in its battle for independence, for the best to comply with its personal path of growth, and we’ve got at all times supported the Cuban individuals,” Putin stated.
“We all know how tough these previous a long time have been for the Cuban individuals as they’ve fought for the best to dwell by their very own guidelines and defend their nationwide pursuits,” he added.
The U.S. has successfully reduce Cuba off from Venezuelan oil since launching a rare navy operation to depose Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3. Cuba stated 32 of its residents had been killed within the assault.
U.S. President Donald Trump has since pledged to impose tariffs on any nation that provides Havana with oil and labeled its authorities as “an uncommon and extraordinary menace.”
Cuba’s dwindling oil provides prompted the United Nations to warn of a doable humanitarian “collapse” earlier within the month.
‘Very dramatic modifications’
Cuba’s authorities, which has condemned the U.S. strain, has not too long ago adopted measures to guard important companies and ration gas provides for key sectors.
It additionally suspended an annual cigar pageant which had been attributable to happen in Havana later this month, with out offering particulars of a brand new date.
Pictures of day by day life in Cuba have proven piles of waste constructing on Havana’s avenue corners in current days as many assortment vans have been left with empty gas tanks.
A bicitaxi rides previous rubbish piled up on a avenue in Havana on February 17, 2026.
Yamil Lage | Afp | Getty Photographs
The White Home has stated it was in Cuba’s curiosity to make massive modifications quickly, though stopped wanting calling for a change of presidency.
“They’re a regime that’s falling. Their nation is collapsing and that is why we imagine it is of their finest curiosity to make very dramatic modifications very quickly,” White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt advised reporters on Wednesday.
