Top Russian, Venezuelan diplomats to meet today

Moscow [Russia], May 5 (ANI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to meet his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza today amid mounting political and civil unrest in Venezuela.
The two leaders will discuss possible steps to solve the crisis currently prevalent in Venezuela, which heightened after the April 30 attempt by opposition leader Juan Guaido to oust embattled President Nicolas Maduro, reported TASS news agency.
"There will be an exchange of opinion on the situation inside and around Venezuela in connection with the government coup attempt, the outlook for a political and diplomatic settlement of differences within the framework of the Venezuelan constitution, and various options of international mediatory efforts to promote a dialogue between the government and the opposition," said the Russian Foreign Ministry.
"Certain steps will be discussed for expanding comprehensive Russian-Venezuelan partnership in the international scene, stepping up efforts by an informal group of countries for the protection of goals and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and also for resisting illegal, unilaterally imposed sanctions that worsen the social and economic situation in the country," it added.
The meeting will take place ahead of the face-to-face talks between Lavrov and US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in Finland's northern city of Rovaniemi, next week.
Ever since the political chaos began in Venezuela, Russia has stood by the embattled regime headed by Maduro, and often criticised the US for 'interfering' in the country. On the other hand, the US has backed Guaido ever since he declared himself as the President of the nation in January.
Maduro continues to hold on to his post despite several countries calling for his resignation.
Venezuela is also facing an acute economic and humanitarian crisis at the moment, which is worsened by repeated sanctions from the US. (ANI)