RUSSIA is preparing to send crude oil and fuel to Cuba, it has been reported.

US President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on any country providing oil to Cuba, prompting the island to ration energy.

But sources from the Russian embassy in Cuba told the Izvestia newspaper that “as far as we know, Russia is expected to supply oil and petroleum products to Cuba as humanitarian aid in the near future.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow would seek to engage in “constructive dialogue” with the US over Cuba’s deepening energy crisis.

It comes as two Mexican Navy ships laden with humanitarian aid docked in Cuba today.

One of the vessels was carrying 536 tons of food and hygiene items and the other held 277 tons of powdered milk.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said diplomatic efforts to resume oil supplies are underway, adding that “as soon as the ships return, we will send more support.”

Cuba relied on oil shipments from Venezuela that were halted when the US attacked the South American country in early January and abducted its leader.