Lavrov: Moscow is ready for talks with the United States on Venezuela
According to the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed in a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday that Moscow is ready to respond with bilateral consultations on Venezuelan issues proposed by Washington. At the same time, Lavrov said that the parties should strictly comply with the principles of the UN Charter and adhere to the position that only Venezuelans have the right to determine their future.
According to the statement, Lavrov condemned the American threats against Venezuela's leadership. "Instigation and destructive influence from outside, under the hypocritical pretext of humanitarian aid deliveries, have nothing in common with the democratic process," the foreign ministry said.
In addition, Lavrov and Pompeo agreed to continue expert contacts on Syria, Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula.
The US State Department has not yet commented on the telephone conversation between the heads of the foreign affairs agencies.
Lavrov said on February 27 that “absolutely shameless attempts are being made to create an artificial pretext for military intervention” in Venezuela’s affairs. We have heard direct threats from Washington, stating that all options remain on the table,” he said.
On February 26, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev announced that the United States was preparing for a military scenario in Venezuela. As confirmation to his words, he led the transfer of American forces to Puerto Rico and the landing of the US forces to Colombia. In his opinion, this is done to involve the troops in the operation to remove the current president, Nicolas Maduro from power.