In a significant diplomatic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia's strong opposition to recent U.S. sanctions against Cuba during his meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Moscow on February 18, 2026. Putin emphasized that Russia 'will not accept anything of the sort' regarding the sanctions, condemning them as 'unacceptable' and reaffirming Russia's commitment to support Cuba amid its ongoing fuel crisis, which has been exacerbated by a U.S. oil embargo (Euronews, February 19, 2026). This strong stance from Russia highlights the deepening ties between Moscow and Havana in the face of U.S. foreign policy pressures.