Russia, Venezuela to sign 20 agreements next month: Maduro

Caracas [Venezuela], Mar 27 (ANI): Russia and Venezuela will sign around 20 agreements on cooperation in different sectors including energy and education, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday.

"In April, a high-level working session on intergovernmental cooperation between Russia and Venezuela will take place. We will sign over 20 documents on cooperation in economy, trade, culture, energy and education," TASS quoted Maduro as saying.

Interestingly, Maduro's remarks come a day after foreign media reported that two Russian military jets with 100 soldiers on board reached Caracas. 

While discussing on Russia and Venezuela relationships, Maduro asserted, "In April, a high-level working session on intergovernmental cooperation between Russia and Venezuela will take place. We will sign over 20 documents on cooperation in economy, trade, culture, energy and education.''

Taking jibe at US' humanitarian aid which he had claimed was "fake", Maduro thanked Russia for its "real humanitarian delivery".

"Two weeks ago, a shipment measuring in tonnes arrived in Venezuela. Soon we expect another aid delivery, with medicine," he added.

Last week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that Russia would send medicine “next week” to Venezuela, amid reports of strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow.   

According to Al Jazeera, the Maduro regime in February had blocked a convoy carrying humanitarian aid from entering into Venezuela via the border with Colombia. He also ordered the closure of Venezuela's border with Brazil "until further notice" amid a tense standoff with the US-backed Opposition leader, Juan Guaido, over allowing in humanitarian aid.

The South American nation is crippled with a political and economic crisis since January after Guaido proclaimed himself as the President of the nation in January. While most European countries have recognised Guaido as the interim President, countries like Russia, China, Turkey, amongst others, have slammed foreign interference in Venezuela and shown support for Maduro.

Maduro, who is the elected President of the nation, decried the events and accused the US of plotting a coup to overthrow him by supporting Guaido. He continues to hold on to his post despite calls by the international community for fresh elections.

Amongst other sanctions, the US has previously proscribed Venezuela's state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA in a bid to stifle funding to the Maduro regime. (ANI)