Russia has affirmed its readiness to assist Venezuela in response to the escalating US military presence near the South American nation led by Donald Trump. The White House is moving forward with plans for a strike campaign targeting drug smugglers, a move criticized by experts as potentially violating international law.
Following a strategic partnership agreement signed between Caracas and Moscow in May, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is prepared to act in accordance with the mutual obligations outlined in the agreement. Although the agreement has not yet been enacted, both countries’ leaders have ratified the strategic partnership, bringing it close to implementation.
Lavrov mentioned that the agreement is in the final stages of ratification by the Russian Legislature, emphasizing the importance of continuing security cooperation, including military-technical collaboration. The recent deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and three warships near Venezuela has raised concerns about potential intentions to oust the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Despite the military buildup, Venezuela has not formally requested military assistance or the deployment of Russian weaponry in the country, according to Lavrov. However, a senior Russian official hinted at the possibility of sending Venezuela the experimental Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, previously utilized by Moscow in a strike on central Ukraine a year ago.
