- Russia has pledged to continue its vital oil supplies to Cuba, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, following a recent delivery of approximately 700,000 barrels.
- Cuba is experiencing acute energy shortages after the US halted oil exports from its main ally, Venezuela, and Mexico also ceased its shipments.
- The Trump administration had previously threatened punitive tariffs on countries supplying crude to Cuba but permitted Russia's first oil delivery this year on humanitarian grounds.
- Mr Lavrov, speaking during a visit to China, reiterated Russia's commitment to providing humanitarian aid to its long-standing ally, Cuba.
- While the Trump administration cleared the recent Russian delivery, it stated that future oil shipments to Cuba would be reviewed on a "case-by-case" basis.
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