Caracas has focused on rebuilding ties with Washington since Maduro's ouster
Russia is concerned that Venezuela could allow Kyiv to tap into its vast and largely unused stockpile of Soviet-made weapons as it shifts its foreign policy focus.
Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council and a former defence minister, warned on Wednesday during a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, José Adelino Ornelas Ferreira, against any attempt to involve Latin American states in arrangements that could ultimately support Ukraine.
“We know about the activity of Western envoys who are trying to involve Latin American states in various schemes of arms supplies in the interests of Kyiv,” Shoigu said, emphasising that Venezuela continues to operate significant quantities of Soviet- and Russian-origin military equipment.
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