Putin Calls Maduro as Lukashenko Meets Venezuelan Envoy Amid Rising U.S. Pressure
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
Moscow / Caracas / Minsk — Dec 11 (GeokHub) Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as political tension surrounding Venezuela continues to escalate. The call came at a moment when Washington is intensifying sanctions and maritime enforcement actions targeting Venezuela’s oil trade and government figures.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the discussion focused on deepening energy cooperation, expanding trade ties, and coordinating diplomatic positions as the United States steps up pressure on Caracas. The two leaders reaffirmed what they described as a “strategic partnership,” signaling Moscow’s readiness to maintain support for Maduro’s government.
In a parallel development, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Venezuela’s ambassador in Minsk to discuss bilateral cooperation and potential joint projects. The meeting underscores a growing alignment among nations that have positioned themselves as political counterweights to U.S. influence.
Related:
U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on Maduro’s Relatives and Six Venezuelan Oil Tankers
U.S. Prepares to Seize More Oil Tankers Near Venezuela After First Ship Intercepted
Analysis / Impact:
The coordinated engagement by Russia and Belarus highlights an emerging diplomatic front as the United States expands sanctions against Venezuelan officials and shipping networks. By reinforcing political and economic ties, Moscow and Minsk appear determined to cushion Caracas from the effects of international isolation.
For Washington, the moves could complicate efforts to restrict Venezuela’s oil revenue and curtail the Maduro government’s access to global markets. Russia has historically played a key role in supporting Venezuela’s energy sector, and continued cooperation may provide Maduro with alternative channels to navigate sanctions.
Belarus’ involvement, while smaller in scale, signals growing solidarity among countries seeking to strengthen ties outside Western-aligned systems. The outreach could also deepen the bloc’s economic and diplomatic leverage amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics.
