“Do I detect Trump at work?”
That was my very first thought, too. Some behind the scenes goings-on are happening. The Russkies don’t abandon fledgling satellite states easily, especially in the Western Hemisphere.
The Russians have essentially no fleet now. Long term direct support would be difficult. Proxy support through the Cubans is their only viable choice. But is that really worth it, the Cubans will demand their cut those driving Russian costs up. How long will the current Cuban regime stay? Raoul is no spring chicken either. The Russians may be making a long term calculation that its not worth a big commitment.