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Putin meets Cuban foreign minister in Moscow, says US restrictions are 'unacceptable'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Summary
RIA reported Putin met Cuban FM Bruno Rodríguez at the Kremlin. Separately, Lavrov urged the U.S. to avoid a naval blockade and pursue talks as Cuba faces fuel shortages.
Putin Hosts Cuba's FM in Moscow, Calls U.S. Sanctions 'Unacceptable'
Kremlin Meeting Highlights
Russia-Cuba Ties and U.S. Sanctions
MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday in the Kremlin, where he said that new restrictions imposed on the communist-run island were "unacceptable", Russian state news agencies reported.
Material Support and Oil
Planned Aid for Havana
A senior Russian diplomat said last week that Moscow would provide aid to Havana, including material assistance, to help navigate a U.S. attempt to starve the island of oil.
Putin's Stance on Restrictions
"Now is a special period, new sanctions. You know how we feel about this," Putin told Rodriguez, according to the TASS news agency. "We do not accept anything like this."
Bilateral Relations Outlook
The Kremlin chief said relations between Russia and Cuba were developing "on a positive track", TASS reported.
Lavrov's Warning on Blockade
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Cuban counterpart in a separate meeting on Wednesday that Moscow was urging the U.S. not to impose a full naval blockade on the island and was advocating negotiations instead.
No Cuba Talks with Washington
Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, was quoted as saying by TASS on Wednesday that Moscow did not discuss the Cuba issue with Washington. Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. concluded trilateral peace talks in Geneva earlier on Wednesday.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •RIA reported Vladimir Putin met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez at the Kremlin; no additional details were provided.
- •In a separate meeting, Sergei Lavrov urged the U.S. to refrain from a naval blockade of Cuba and pursue negotiations.
- •The talks come amid Cuba’s energy shortages and heightened sanctions pressure.
- •Russia signaled continued political support for Havana during the visit.
- •Developments could influence sanctions risk and regional energy flows.
Frequently Asked Questions about Putin meets Cuban foreign minister in Moscow, says US restrictions are 'unacceptable'
1What is a naval blockade?
A naval blockade is the deployment of warships to prevent access to or departure from an enemy’s coast, interrupting maritime traffic and trade. It is considered an act of war under international law and can be military or commercial in purpose.
2What is a trade embargo?
A trade embargo is a legal prohibition that restricts or stops commerce with a specific country or goods category. Embargoes are used as economic pressure tools and may allow limited humanitarian exemptions, such as food or medicines.
