Putin and Maduro Strengthen Russia-Venezuela Ties with New Energy Deal

Report Issue

Please complete the required fields.

Your Name

Email

Reason (required)
This post contains broken linksPost has incorrect informationPost has spamCopyright IssueOther

Description

Submit

Putin and Maduro Agree to “Expand” Cooperation in Energy and Other Sectors Between Russia and Venezuela

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, announced this Friday in a videoconference an agreement to “expand” bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the energy sector, though without specifying details of the deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced this Friday in a videoconference an agreement to “expand” bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors, including energy, without detailing the terms of the agreement.

Days after the United States revoked the license allowing oil giant Chevron to operate in Venezuela despite financial sanctions imposed on the Caribbean nation, Putin invited Maduro to visit Moscow to sign the agreement on May 9, during the Victory Day celebrations of World War II.

“We have reached the level of strategic relations,” celebrated the Russian leader.

“The strategic partnership and cooperation agreement is fully agreed upon and will lay a solid foundation for further expanding bilateral ties,” Putin continued, according to the official translation. “I would be happy to see you in Russia on May 9 for the celebrations,” he added, addressing Maduro.

After revoking Chevron’s license, the Trump administration warned it would also review permits granted to other energy companies, such as the French firm Maurel & Prom and the Spanish company Repsol.

“This elevates our relations to the highest level in several fields,” including “the energy cooperation field, which is strengthening more and more,” Maduro said.

Relations between Moscow and Caracas deepened during the presidency of the late Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) and have continued to expand under Maduro’s leadership.

Russia has expressed support for Maduro amid challenges to his reelection, which Washington does not recognize due to opposition allegations of fraud, claiming exiled opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia won the July 28, 2024, presidential election. Venezuela, in turn, has backed Russia in the war in Ukraine.

The videoconference between Putin and Maduro took place as the Venezuelan government promoted events marking 80 years of diplomatic relations with Russia.