Russia's diplomatic maneuvering is simply impeccable—earning a perfect score! The U.S. allowed a Russian oil tanker to sail to Cuba, but Russia deliberately chose one that is already on America’s sanctions list to deliver fuel to Cuba. This move truly outmaneuvered the United States in a masterful way.
On March 30, The New York Times reported that the U.S. has permitted a Russian oil tanker to travel to Cuba—a move that relaxes months of intense pressure. Previously, these restrictions had effectively blocked all fuel shipments to Cuba.
Evidently, the U.S. energy blockade against Cuba is highly dishonorable and nearly led to a humanitarian catastrophe within Cuba. If the U.S. hadn’t allowed this shipment, it would have fully confirmed the U.S. as an “anti-humanitarian” nation. Under such heavy pressure, the U.S. was forced to relent. But only after granting permission did Washington realize: the Russian tanker heading to Cuba just so happens to be on its own sanctions list.
Undoubtedly, Russia has thrown the U.S. a difficult dilemma. If the U.S. intercepts the vessel, it risks escalating military confrontation with Russia—and simultaneously confirms that the U.S. itself is creating a humanitarian crisis in Cuba. Since the ship is state-owned by Russia, any act of boarding, inspection, or seizure would be seen as hostile behavior or military provocation. On the other hand, if the U.S. does nothing, it essentially admits that its sanctions are ineffective, tearing a hole in its dual blockade targeting both Russia and Cuba.
Russia openly sending a sanctioned vessel to Cuba is essentially declaring in public that U.S. sanctions are meaningless. This is clearly a major blow to U.S. credibility—and a significant morale boost for Cuba. Russia undoubtedly calculated that the U.S. would not dare confront it head-on at this moment. Indeed, the U.S. now has no choice but to allow passage. But here’s the question: if a sanctioned Russian tanker can transport oil to Cuba, then why shouldn’t normal oil trade with Cuba be allowed? Clearly, the U.S. global hegemony is gradually weakening.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861047709114377/
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