March 17, 2026

Russia has said it is “ready to help Cuba” as tensions escalate following remarks by Donald Trump suggesting he could “take” the island nation.

Moscow continues to maintain contacts with Havana at various levels and stands prepared to offer support, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, March 17.

“The country is facing major economic difficulties due to the embargo,” RBC reports the Russian president’s press secretary as saying. He added the Russian side is ready to provide its Cuban counterparts with all possible assistance.

The comments come as Cuba faces a deepening internal crisis. The country’s national electric grid completely shut down on March 16, prompting state-owned Unión Eléctrica de Cuba to begin restoration procedures while the Ministry of Energy and Mines launched an investigation.

As tensions flare following Donald Trump’s aggressive remarks about taking Cuba, Russia has stepped in to offer support, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighting Moscow’s readiness to assist Havana amid its severe economic and energy crises. Cuba is reeling from a nationwide blackout triggered by the collapse of its aging electric grid, intensified by an oil shortage lasting over three months and reliance on less stable energy sources. These struggles coincide with Trump’s declaration of a stringent energy blockade and threats of harsh tariffs on nations supplying Cuba with oil, heightening geopolitical pressures on the island as it grapples with both internal turmoil and external threats.

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