The United States missed the Russian oil tanker to Cuba

The US Coast Guard will allow a Russian tanker with crude oil to pass unhindered to Cuba, despite the actual American fuel blockade of the island, The New York Times reported, citing an informed American official.

According to him, the US Coast Guard has two patrol boats in the region that could try to intercept a Russian tanker, but the administration of President Donald Trump has not given an order to take any action.

According to the newspaper, a tanker carrying 730 thousand barrels of oil can reach the destination port of Matanzas as early as Monday, providing the island with a vital source of energy after several months of the actual oil blockade by the United States.

American analysts believe that the arrival of the Russian vessel will change the trajectory of the rapidly escalating crisis in Cuba, providing the island nation with fuel for at least several weeks, the newspaper notes.

At the same time, it is emphasized that this will also reduce pressure on the Cuban government, faced with an impending economic collapse and escalating threats from Washington, and will show that, at least for now, the island can still count on its long-time ally Russia, Interfax clarifies.