Trump reverses course on Cuban oil blockade, allows Russian tanker to pass - Reuters

The Trump administration is allowing a Russian oil tanker to proceed to Cuba, according to reporting by the New York Times. This reverses what would have been a stricter enforcement posture toward Russian energy shipments to the island, which has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-Cuba relations. The decision signals a potential shift in how the White House will handle sanctions compliance and Russian economic activity in the Western Hemisphere. Cuba relies heavily on Russian oil imports, and permitting such deliveries could ease fuel shortages on the island while reducing pressure on the Kremlin during its war in Ukraine. The move reflects broader questions about how the Trump administration will prioritize energy security, sanctions enforcement, and geopolitical leverage in its foreign policy approach.