Russia will seek to help Cuba secure its oil supplies

Dmitry Medvedev gives an interview during his visit to Cuba. Photo: Sputnik

Medvedev pledged to help develop Cuba's energy sector during a visit to the island this week, but did not spell out specific short-term measures to help ease fuel shortages in Cuba caused by US sanctions.

Asked whether Russian ships would escort tankers to Cuba, Mr Medvedev told Rossiya 1 television: “I think we will look for other ways to help Cuba get petroleum products.”

“We discussed this issue and agreed that we will draft an action plan on energy supplies to Cuba, keeping in mind that conventional energy sources, hydrocarbons and possibly some other available avenues,” he added.

Havana announced on September 11 that it could not secure sufficient shipments of refined fuels such as gasoline and diesel for the rest of September due to sanctions imposed by the United States in retaliation for its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Cuba’s oil production currently meets about 40% of its needs. Nearly all of the rest has been supplied by Venezuela for years under an agreement in exchange for Cuba’s support of health services.

During the talks during Medvedev's visit, Cuba said it would pay all remaining debts to Moscow. "All our relations are pragmatic. Although they are friendly in nature and based on a historical past, they are also relations between modern states. They must be mutually beneficial," the Russian prime minister said.

Russia and Cuba have signed an agreement to renovate Cuba's railway system and are also discussing the possibility of Russia selling aircraft to Cuba. Medvedev added that Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, could deliver the commodity to Cuba if needed.

“Oil shipments may be disrupted, but if the US decides to ban food supplies or control them, this is no laughing matter,” he said.