Putin Voices Support for Venezuelan President Maduro, Vows Stronger Cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his support for the Venezuelan government in a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, promising to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, drawing international attention. The Kremlin announced on the 11th (local time) that President Putin emphasized solidarity with the Venezuelan people in his call with President Maduro. Furthermore, he made it clear that he supports the policies pursued by the Venezuelan government to protect its national interests and sovereignty in the face of external pressure. Putin's expression of support comes amid escalating tensions with the United States and other Western countries, and is seen as politically significant as it demonstrates support for the Maduro regime, which is facing international isolation. The two leaders discussed ways to further deepen bilateral relations based on the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Agreement. In particular, they agreed to continuously pursue various joint projects in the fields of trade, economy, energy, finance, culture, and humanitarian affairs. Russia and Venezuela have traditionally maintained friendly relations, and President Maduro appears to be seeking to strengthen his position in the international community through President Putin's support. Meanwhile, the United States has consistently expressed a critical stance on the political situation in Venezuela. The United States questions President Maduro's legitimacy and has imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela.

In this context, Putin's expression of support can be interpreted as demonstrating Russia's continued commitment to Venezuela. The two leaders also discussed specific cooperation plans during the call, with a particular focus on strengthening cooperation in the energy sector. Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves, and Russia is an energy superpower, so cooperation between the two countries could have a significant impact on the energy market. Financial cooperation is also expected to be strengthened. Russia is providing financial support to Venezuela, which is subject to US sanctions, and is expected to contribute to the stability of the Venezuelan economy. Various exchange programs will also be promoted in the cultural and humanitarian fields. The two countries are expected to promote mutual understanding through cultural exchange and contribute to improving the quality of life of the Venezuelan people through humanitarian assistance. The call between President Putin and President Maduro is expected to further consolidate bilateral relations and strengthen the positions of Russia and Venezuela in the international community. The Russian government emphasized that it will continue to expand cooperation with Venezuela in the future, announcing the results of the call.