Maduro: US sanctions pose no risks for cooperation with Russia

CARACAS, Jan 30 (PRIME) -- Russia will not run any risks cooperating with Venezuela after the U.S. imposed sanctions against oil company PDVSA, President Nicolas Maduro told PRIME in an interview published on Wednesday.

“Since Russia is an independent, sovereign country, Russian companies are mighty in this world, have their own engineering teams, finances, logistics,” Maduro said.

“PDVSA is a company of a sovereign country, and since we are two independent countries, we are doing business, making investments, carrying out big projects in oil production. Everything will be fine, this, the business between Russia and Venezuela in oil and gas, is protected with a shield.”

On Monday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on PDVSA and urged the country’s military to accept a peaceful transfer of power to opposition leader Juan Guaido who was recognized as interim president by the U.S. and more than 20 countries. The U.S. blocked all the company’s assets within its jurisdiction.

Maduro said that Venezuela will always be grateful to Russia for help. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin said several days ago that Russia plans to boost cooperation in economy, trade, oil and gas, defense and other areas with Venezuela.

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