/VENEZUELA: Maduro Announces "Powerful Military Cooperation" With Russia

Russian news wires carry reports surrounding senior-level talks between Venezuelan and Russian officials. During a joint press briefing with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisnov, Venezuelan President Maduro said that "we have reviewed our military partnership (with Russia) and approved the instruction for powerful military cooperation between the Russian Federation and Venezuela to protect peace, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

• RIA Novosti reported that "the commander of the Bolivarian armed forces, General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, and the general staff of the Venezuelan army received clear instructions to expand cooperation with Russia."
• Russia's efforts to strengthen military cooperation with Venezuela unfold amid the ongoing crisis on the Russo-Ukrainian border. With the U.S. offering various forms of support to Kyiv, Russia has launched a diplomatic offensive in Latin America, seeking to bolster its ties with allied regimes in the region.
• Last month, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov refused to rule out military deployments to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the U.S. continue to rise. Deputy Prime Minister Borisnov will touch down in Nicaragua later today, before heading to Cuba on Friday.