On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a phone conversation with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, reaffirming Russia’s ongoing support amid intensifying international pressures facing the Venezuelan government. This development was highlighted in a statement released by the Kremlin.

During the call, reported by Reuters, Putin emphasized his backing of Maduro’s administration as it contends with mounting external challenges. The United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, has been actively seeking Maduro’s ouster and has stepped up military activities in the Caribbean as part of its broader strategy.

The Kremlin’s statement noted that Putin and Maduro discussed their mutual interest in strengthening a strategic partnership agreement, with a focus on advancing collaborative projects in the economic and energy sectors. Russia sees Venezuela as a pivotal ally in Latin America, especially given that both nations are frequently at odds with international sanctions and face global isolation.

Just a day before this conversation, tensions between Caracas and Washington heightened when the United States seized a substantial Venezuelan oil tanker off the country’s coast, an action taken under U.S. sanctions.

The call came one day after the United States seized a massive, U.S.-sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker off the country’s coast, escalating already tense relations between Caracas and Washington.

According to Fox News Digital’s report, the Venezuelan government condemned the seizure as a violation of its sovereignty and accused Washington of hostile action against its economic interests. The Trump administration has intensified enforcement targeting Venezuela’s oil sector, which remains the backbone of Maduro’s government despite years of decline.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro brandishes a sword during an event at the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that federal agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard, carried out the tanker operation and released unclassified video footage of the seizure. The move followed a federal warrant tied to sanctions violations.

President Trump publicly acknowledged the operation, describing the vessel as the largest tanker ever seized by the United States. Reuters reported that the action caused oil prices to rise and added new strain to U.S.–Venezuela relations.

Russia–Venezuela ties

Russia and Venezuela have maintained a close relationship for more than two decades, a partnership that deepened during the presidency of Hugo Chávez and continued under Nicolás Maduro. According to Reuters, cooperation between the two countries has focused on defense, energy production and financial assistance.

Over the past several years, Moscow has supplied military equipment to Caracas, supported Venezuela’s state oil company through joint ventures, and extended loans and credit lines that have helped keep parts of the country’s oil sector functioning. Venezuela has taken billions of dollars in Russian loans and financing arrangements tied to Venezuela’s crude exports.

Soldiers with their faces painted march during a military parade to celebrate the 205th anniversary of Venezuela’s independence in Caracas, Venezuela July 5, 2016. (Carlos Jasso/Reuters)

Despite international sanctions targeting both governments, Russia has consistently treated Venezuela as a strategic partner. The U.S. Congressional Research Service reports describe the relationship as durable and largely unaffected by short-term political shifts or external pressure. Moscow has continued to offer diplomatic backing and economic cooperation even as Venezuela’s domestic crisis worsened and U.S. pressure campaigns intensified.

Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan, the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to the story.