Venezuelan President Maduro expected to visit Russia and attend Russian Energy Week in early October
NEW YORK. Sept 24 (Interfax) - Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro is planning to come to Russia in early October and take part in the Russian Energy Week.
"Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro may visit Russia on the first days of October," an informed source at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City told Interfax.
"Maduro's visit is apparently going to coincide with the Russian Energy Week scheduled for October 3-7 and the Venezuelan president, if he comes, will take part in it", the source said.
The upcoming visit will go amid Venezuela's domestic political problems after the election to the country's National Constitutional Assembly and the recent complications in the relations between Caracas and Washington.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week. "We are prepared for any scenario of the U.S. action. We don't rule out the military scenario either. We know that we can count on Russia. We are not friends, we are brothers," Arreaza said during the meeting.
"We hope for the wisdom of Latin American partners," Lavrov replied. "I have talked to many and we are urging them to unite around the fundamental principles of international law and refrain from suggesting any ideas that do not lead to a peaceful settlement," he added.
Lavrov said: "We have always stood for strict compliance with the UN Charter, which stipulates for an absolute rejection of the language of force and unacceptability of any interference with internal affairs. Trying to impose a different lifestyle on people is dangerous."
The United States does not rule out introducing an embargo on purchases of Venezuelan oil, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Nikki R. Haley said.
Venezuela is an OPEC member state and therefore, the situation in the oil market will apparently be discussed with Maduro along with political issues if the Venezuelan leader visits Moscow.