Tankers dock at the Matanzas terminal as Cubans brace for worsening fuel shortages after the U.S. seized Venezuela-linked tankers, cutting a vital energy lifeline just days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's capture, in Matanzas, Cuba, January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez
MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday that Moscow was urging the U.S. not to impose a full naval blockade on the communist-run island and was advocating negotiations instead.
Hailing Cuba as “a brotherly nation,” Lavrov made the comments at the start of talks in Moscow with Rodriguez. The Cuban minister was expected to hold more talks later on Wednesday with President Vladimir Putin.
“Together with most members of the international community, we call on the United States to show common sense and responsibility and refrain from plans for a naval blockade of the Island of Freedom,” said Lavrov.
“We categorically reject the unfounded accusations against Russia and Cuba and our cooperation, which allegedly pose a threat to the interests of the United States or anyone else.”
Russia has said it is doing what it can to help Cuba weather the U.S. attempt to starve the island of oil, but has been cagey about saying exactly how – though Moscow’s ambassador to Cuba said this month that he “assumed” that Russia would continue to supply it with oil.
Lavrov said any differences between Washington and Havana should be resolved through what he called “mutually-respectful dialog” and said that Cuba was ready for “honest negotiations.”
(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026.
This article contains reporting from Reuters, published under license.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Russia’s sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 export network is showing early signs of disruption after an explosion sank one of its shadow fleet carriers in the Mediterranean this week, forcing other tankers to halt or reroute and raising new questions about the security of a key shipping corridor.
President Donald Trump says the US will ensure the free flow of energy through the Persian Gulf with insurance guarantees and even naval escorts. But the shipping industry sees it — at best — as only a partial solution to a historic crisis.
The crew of the sanctioned Russian LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz have been located alive after abandoning ship following a reported fire in the central Mediterranean, Maltese authorities confirmed Tuesday. In a statement,...
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
