Russia warns that it "will never accept regime change in Venezuela promoted by the United States."
"We cannot accept this approach for fundamental reasons, because it is a continuation of the regime change policy we have observed from the Americans in recent decades," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Sputnik - Russia will never accept Washington's argument about a change of power in Venezuela and the resignation of President Nicolás Maduro, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Tuesday (9).
"The problem is that the United States is placing the main priority in its policy on Venezuela on demanding a change in the legitimate government led by President Nicolás Maduro. We cannot accept this approach for fundamental reasons, because this is a continuation of the regime change policy that we have observed from the Americans in recent decades," Ryabkov said during a videoconference on US-Russia relations held by the Council on Foreign Relations.
The political situation in Venezuela worsened last January after opposition leader Juan Guaidó proclaimed himself interim president. Several countries, including the United States, endorsed him as Venezuela's leader and urged incumbent president Nicolás Maduro to resign.
The United States also imposed several sanctions against Venezuelan officials and entities, freezing $7 billion in assets belonging to Venezuela's national oil and gas company, PDVSA, and its subsidiaries.
Maduro, whose presidency is supported by Russia and China, among other states, denounced the sanctions as an illegal attempt to seize the country's sovereign assets. Maduro calls Guaidó a puppet of Washington.