MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Tensions in the Caribbean can be settled diplomatically only if the United States reduces its military presence in the region and stops looking for pretexts to topple Venezuela’s legitimate authorities, a senior Russian lawmaker told TASS, commenting on US President Donald Trump’s words that Venezuela’s leadership wants to enter into talks with the United States.
"Naturally, Russia stands against any escalation in the Caribbean, against the military operation and calls for settling the situation politically and diplomatically. The first thing that needs to happen is that the United States needs to reduce its growing military presence in the region and stop looking for false pretexts for toppling the legitimately elected authorities in Venezuela," Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), said.
According to the lawmaker, prospects for the diplomatic settlement between the United States and Venezuela can now be viewed only through the prism of Trump’s statement. "It is necessary to understand Caracas’ position and conditions for talks," he added.
