Russia preparing 2nd oil shipment to Cuba: energy minister

Russia is loading a second vessel to deliver oil to Cuba as the island nation faces fuel shortages, TASS news agency reported Thursday, citing Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilyov, said Xinhua.

Cuba is facing a difficult situation due to a blockade, and Russia would "not leave the Cuban people in trouble," Tsivilyov said at an energy forum.

On Monday, Russia's Transport Ministry said the tanker Anatoly Kolodkin had arrived in Cuba with a humanitarian cargo of 100,000 tons of crude oil.

Previously, The New York Times reported that the United States Coast Guard had allowed a Russian-owned crude oil tanker to reach Cuba after months of an oil blockade against the country.