Russia to Refrain From Joining US Meddling in Venezuela's Affairs - Senior Lawmaker

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will not interfere in Venezuela's domestic affairs, neither on its own nor in cooperation with the United States, Frants Klintsevich, a member of the upper house of the Russian Parliament's Security and Defence Committee, said on Saturday.

"Russia cooperates with the duly elected president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, following through on our commitments with the country. Anything else does not concern us. Venezuela sets its own development path, and foreign policy priorities", Klintsevich said.

The Senator stressed that interference in any other country's affairs was unacceptable.

"Russia is ready to cooperate on settling a variety of issues, but not on this one. For us it is a political taboo of sorts", he added.

On Friday, news agency Bloomberg reported that the White House was mulling over more aggressive tactics toward Caracas, including a partnership with the Kremlin.

In January, the inauguration of re-elected President Maduro triggered mass protests in Venezuela. Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president. A number of Western countries led by the US recognised Guaido, while Russia, China, Turkey and a number of other states firmly backed Maduro.