Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed a strategic partnership agreement Wednesday during a televised ceremony in Moscow. The leaders also held talks focused on energy and oil cooperation.
The agreement outlines plans to advance joint initiatives through OPEC+, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and other international energy organizations. It emphasizes a commitment to “balanced and stable long-term development of global energy markets without the use of unfair competition instruments.”
Russia and Venezuela will collaborate on exploring and developing new oil and gas fields through joint ventures and aim to expand their oil trading operations. The agreement also calls for closer coordination at the United Nations and other international bodies, with a shared stance against unilateral sanctions and enhanced cooperation on arms control.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the agreement as a “weighty, substantial and very important framework document.”
Moscow has built stronger alliances with countries opposing what it calls the “collective West.” Since 2022, Russia has signed similar pacts with China, North Korea, and Iran.
While in Moscow, Maduro is also expected to participate in events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, including a military parade on Friday.
