Kremlin says Moscow in contact with Washington to clarify situation around Venezuelan oil

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) — Moscow is using its communication channels with Washington to clarify the situation regarding Venezuelan oil, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov said economic topics are of interest for discussion with the US.

“We are interested in discussing economic matters with the Americans,” he said. “We believe there are many topics on the agenda that could be of mutual interest.”

Specifically, Russia will use existing communication channels with the US to clarify the situation surrounding Venezuelan oil, he added.

On Tuesday, the US Department of the Treasury issued a license governing operations with oil from Venezuela that prohibits transactions with individuals or entities from Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba.

It also bans transactions with Venezuelan and US legal entities that are directly or indirectly owned or controlled by individuals from China or are joint ventures with them.

“This is a fairly new decision,” Peskov said. “Russia indeed has long-term projects in Venezuela, has investments, there is interest from Venezuelan partners and the Russian Federation's own interest, therefore all this is a reason for discussion with the US.”

Turning to the Feb. 9-11 visit by US Vice President JD Vance to the South Caucasus, Peskov said Armenia and Azerbaijan are sovereign states and have the right to build relations with any country.

“We have a vast array of bilateral relations with both Baku and Yerevan, which extends to all possible areas,” he said.

Vance’s trip to the South Caucasus concludes today. On behalf of the US, he signed a Charter on Strategic Partnership with Azerbaijan and finalized negotiations with Armenia on cooperation in nuclear energy and the construction of data centers.

Regarding Armenia-US nuclear cooperation, Peskov said Russia’s expertise in the nuclear field exceeds that of the US and that its services are more cost-effective.

“Being the world's most advanced country in this field, Russia is capable of withstanding the highest level of international competition if such competition is desired by partners. That is, Russia is capable of providing better quality for less money, lasting for many years,” he said.

Commenting on restrictions imposed on the Telegram messaging service in Russia, Peskov said contacts with the company’s representatives are ongoing. However, since the service does not comply with Russian laws, the regulator is limiting its operation.

Asked about reports that slowing down Telegram has affected communications of Russian military personnel in combat zones, Peskov referred questions to the Defense Ministry.

“I am not a specialist. These questions need to be addressed to the Defense Ministry. I do not think it is conceivable that frontline communications are provided via Telegram or any messenger,” he said.

Regarding reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may hold elections and a referendum, Peskov said it was “too early” to speculate.

“It is too early to discuss this. We are essentially seeing an exchange of such messages through the press from certain sources. One source claimed that preparations for elections had begun, then another source, also from the administration, from the office of the Kyiv regime, stated that this was not the case and denied this information,” he said.

One must carefully observe such information flows but “still focus on primary sources,” he added, noting that “from primary sources, there have been no such statements yet.”