The Trump administration had threatened to punish countries who attempted to break his effective fuel blockade, aimed at weakening the communist government.

Trump told reporters he would allow a Russian oil tanker to resupply Cuba, which suffers an energy crisis after the U.S. halt of Venezuelan supplies.

Cuba has been experiencing a series of nation-wide blackouts as the blockade exacerbated existing shortages. According to Interfax, the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is carrying

A Russian-flagged oil tanker reportedly reached Cuba on Monday after US President Donald Trump allowed it to break his administration’s fuel blockade of the island nation as its energy crisis deepens.

The U.S. is reportedly allowing a Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba as President Donald Trump eases pressure on the island, saying countries "needs to survive."

A Russian oil tanker is expected to deliver approximately 730,000 barrels of crude to Cuba by Tuesday, with Trump's blessing.

President Donald Trump suggested Sunday that the United States will allow a Russian-flagged oil tanker to reach Cuba as the island faces a deepening energy crisis, a move that would break his administration’s fuel blockade.

President Trump says he has 'no problem' with a Russian oil tanker delivering relief to Cuba, which is in crisis because of a U.S. oil blockade.