The Kremlin confirmed that it remains in contact with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and cited existing "contractual obligations" between the two governments as the United States expands military activity in the Caribbean and Pacific and continues lethal strikes on vessels it says are linked to drug trafficking.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS that Moscow is "in contact with our friends in Venezuela" following reporting by The Washington Post that Maduro recently asked Russia for upgraded air defenses, military aircraft repairs, financing, and potentially missiles.
