Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro signed a sweeping 10-year strategic cooperation agreement in Moscow on Wednesday, strengthening political, economic, and military ties in defiance of Western-led sanctions.

Following extensive talks between the two leaders, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the discussions as “very thorough", noting that they covered the “entire agenda” in both closed and expanded formats. Specific projects in the oil and energy sectors were highlighted, alongside broader geopolitical coordination.

According to the treaty text, the two countries committed to regular high-level political and diplomatic engagement, as well as expanded cooperation in defense and arms control.

“The parties decisively speak against unilateral enforcing and restrictive measures... which represent violation of the UN Charter... and a manifestation of neocolonialism,” the agreement reads. The document explicitly criticises extraterritorial sanctions and describes them as a tool of “economic smothering and erosion of internal political stability.”

Moscow and Caracas pledged not to impose sanctions on each other and reaffirmed their joint resistance to what they see as Western overreach.

Russia, Venezuela deepen energy ties 

Energy cooperation remains a central pillar of the pact. The agreement outlines plans to boost joint oil and gas operations, improve extraction efficiency, and trade petroleum on “a mutually beneficial basis.” Environmental safeguards and the application of advanced technologies were also noted.

Russian companies are reportedly showing renewed interest in investing in Venezuela, with Peskov affirming that the groundwork is being laid to create “attractive conditions” for deeper engagement.

Russia and Venezuela pledged to advance joint initiatives in the energy sector through organizations such as OPEC+, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and others, according to their newly signed strategic partnership agreement.

"The parties will promote the balanced and stable long-term development of global energy markets without the use of unfair competition instruments," the document stated.

The agreement also outlines collaboration in exploring and developing new oil and gas fields through joint ventures, as well as expanding oil trade operations on mutually beneficial terms.

Russia and Venezuela unite against sanctions, bolster UN ties

Beyond energy, the two countries committed to enhancing cooperation at the United Nations and other international forums, including efforts in arms control. Both sides reaffirmed their unified stance against the use of unilateral sanctions.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the strategic accord as a “weighty, substantial and very important framework document.”

Maduro is also scheduled to participate in ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, including Friday’s military parade.

This comes shortly after Maduro arrived in Moscow early Wednesday, responding to President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s triumph over Nazi Germany. 

During his visit, Maduro met with Putin to elevate the strategic partnership between Venezuela and Russia to "the highest political and diplomatic level." Both leaders, alongside their technical teams, signed a new 10-year bilateral cooperation treaty to deepen long-term collaboration. Since 2019, the two nations have inked over 350 agreements and convened 18 joint commissions.

Maduro, Putin expand ties in space, healthcare

Possibilities for expanding direct air travel and collaborating on space exploration via Russia’s GLONASS ground station project in Venezuela were also on the agenda.

Additional priorities covered healthcare cooperation, including vaccine research, professional training, and scientific exchange. Maduro and Putin also focused on security and defense collaboration, as well as technical-military cooperation.

Both leaders expressed a unified stance against the resurgence of fascism, reaffirming their commitment to shared values in global geopolitics.

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