Bankin told Sputnik, when asked if Russia is expected to send new oil tankers to Cuba: “It is humanitarian aid; it is assistance to an old friend and ally, even more than a friend and ally; a country we truly respect for its resilience and ability to live under sanctions and embargo for many years.” He added, “If necessary, we will be or provide other means of support.” On January 29th, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing the imposition of tariffs on oil imports from countries exporting to Cuba and declared a state of emergency citing a Cuban threat to U.S. national security. In response, the Cuban government announced that the United States is exploiting the oil embargo to strangle the Cuban economy and make living conditions unbearable for its people.
