Venezuela ratifies military cooperation agreement with Russia
The Venezuelan President confirmed in a press conference with the Russian Vice President ratification of a military cooperation agreement with Russia.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (AFP)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that his country has ratified an agreement on military cooperation with Russia.
During a joint press conference with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov in Caracas, Maduro stressed that the agreement is aimed at peace and the defense of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two nations.
On state television, Maduro announced that Venezuela will be increasing "all training and cooperation plans."
Borisov divulged that "Venezuela is a strategic partner for Russia in Latin America. We highly value the character of allies in our coordination in the international arena and the dialogue of trust at the political level."
On Wednesday, Venezuela affirmed its support for Russia amid the Ukrainian crisis during the Russian Deputy PM's visit to Venezuela.
Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami spoke on behalf of President Nicolas Maduro and the Venezuelan people, affirming undivided support to the Russian people and the Russian Federation.
He added that Russia is a power that has put its scientific, technological, industrial, and energy development at the service of humanity.
This visit comes in the context of the current Ukrainian crisis, where Western capitals and Kiev accuse Russia of massing forces on the border with Ukraine, in preparation for an alleged invasion. Moscow repeatedly denied these allegations, considering them as pretexts to increase the military presence in Eastern Europe and to expand NATO in the east toward the Russian borders.
