Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, Moscow, on May 7, 2025. Photo: Presidential Press Venezuela.
The presidents of Venezuela and Russia, Nicolás Maduro and Vladimir Putin, have met as part of President Maduro’s visit to Moscow to participate in commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, known as the “Great Patriotic War.”
The meeting took place this Wednesday, May 7, in the Kremlin, where both leaders highlighted the historic relations between Venezuela and Russia, before holding a private meeting with top officials. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, Communication Minister Freddy Ñáñez, and Foreign Minister Yván Gil attended as part of the Venezuelan delegation.
Taking part in the structured talks on the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister/Head of the Russian part of the Intergovernmental Russian-Venezuelan High-Level Commission Dmitry Chernyshenko, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and Chairman of Rosneft Management Board Igor Sechin.
The Venezuelan president emphasized that since the time of the leadership of Commander Hugo Chávez, solid relations have been built between the two nations, as well as a proven friendship, which has reached a stage of advanced development.
He conveyed to his Russian counterpart the Venezuelan people’s admiration of the nation 80 years after the victory in the Great Patriotic War. “The efforts of the Russian and Soviet people to put an end to the criminal and hellish war machine orchestrated by Nazi-fascism 80 years ago are impressive,” he said, asserting that had this not been the case, “humanity would have entered a very dark historical period of backwardness and criminality.”
“The Red Army,” President Maduro added, “with its great victory 80 years ago—the Russian and Soviet people, its political and military heroes—with the sacrifice of 27 million human beings, saved Europe and humanity.”
At the Kremlin, Presidents Maduro and Putin signed agreements to develop joint plans in the military, economic, energy, technological, and political spheres, adding 350 cooperation agreements to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
From the Malachite Room of the Kremlin Palace, the leaders signed the treaty for the creation of infrastructure to facilitate trade and investment, independent of Western systems. They also promoted bilateral investment in oil, gas, and mining.
The strategic agreement between Venezuela and Russia further proposes:
- Cooperation in OPEC+ and the forum of gas exporting countries
- The expansion of direct air traffic between both countries
- Cooperation in the exploration of outer space with the GLONASS ground station project in Venezuela
- Promoting cooperation in health, medical training, and vaccine development
- Strengthening commercial flights between Caracas and Moscow, as well as between Nueva Esparta and Moscow, to expand tourism cooperation
- Condemnation of the resurgence of Nazism, fascism, and similar ideologies worldwide
Additionally, this new strategic alliance facilitates the exchange of scientific research and technological innovation, as well as joint development in security, defense, and military-technical cooperation.
Strengthening relations between Venezuela and Russia
President Maduro emphasized that this is the best time in the 80 years of bilateral relations “to take a new step, like the one we are taking, to leap toward a comprehensive relationship of cooperation in all areas.”
“With the 10-year treaty we are about to sign,” he added, “we will see relations flourish between great Russia—today a leading global power—and Venezuela, fighting from South America for the ideals of Bolívar and Hugo Chávez.”
The Venezuelan head of state arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday, accompanied by other officials. “We are here with the strength of the Bolivarian Venezuelan people,” he stated, “to tell President Putin, the Russian people, and the peoples of the former Soviet Union: Venezuela remains steadfast.”
Russia and Venezuela prosper together
President Putin thanked Maduro for attending the Victory Day commemorations. “For Russia, this victory over Nazism holds profound significance,” he noted. “This year marks not only the 80th anniversary of the victory, but also the establishment of diplomatic ties between our nations.”
“Our trade volume, currently $200 million, remains modest but has grown by 64 percent, a positive trend,” he added. “Collaboration in energy, pharmaceuticals, logistics, healthcare, and humanitarian efforts shows strong momentum.”
Putin also honored the legacy of Hugo Chávez, calling him “a pivotal leader for Venezuela and Latin America, and a friend of Russia.”
(Alba Ciudad) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/AU
