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Russia and Venezuela boost ties | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Russian and Venezuelan energy firms have agreed to work on an energy cooperation pact, at a meeting of their respective presidents. | |
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez was in the southern Russian city of Orenburg with Russia's Dmitry Medvedev. | |
The two countries have been rapidly building closer military and economic ties, and have spoken of their opposition to US global dominance. | |
The latest deal calls for broader co-operation on oil and gas production. | |
Mr Chavez and Mr Medvedev smiled and clapped as the heads of Russian gas giant Gazprom and Venezuelan energy firm PDVSA put pen to paper. | |
"Esteemed president, dear Hugo," Mr Medvedev beamed. | |
"This dynamic in our relationship points to the solid foundation of our ties. Our co-operation is multi-faceted... it includes economic and military ties." | |
Russia withdrew from Latin America when the Soviet Union collapsed but there are now signs of a new Russian assertiveness in the region, says BBC analyst Steven Eke. | |
Venezuela is already one of the best customers of the Russian defence industry, with signed contracts promising to bring Russia more than $4bn (£2.17bn) in weapons sales. | |
'Multipolar world' | 'Multipolar world' |
But, our analyst says, it is the political dimensions of the relationship that lead many analysts to ask whether Russia is now actively trying to create a counterbalance to American influence, starting in South America. | |
Russia is increasing its military links to Venezuela | |
President Medvedev has echoed his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, in calling for what he terms a "multipolar world". | President Medvedev has echoed his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, in calling for what he terms a "multipolar world". |
Yet it is often forgotten that Mr Putin actually oversaw Russia's final military withdrawal from the southern American region, when he closed an electronic listening base in Cuba in 2002. | Yet it is often forgotten that Mr Putin actually oversaw Russia's final military withdrawal from the southern American region, when he closed an electronic listening base in Cuba in 2002. |
Now, a much more assertive Russia appears to be probing for ways of organising a return to the region, our analyst notes. | |
Two long-range Russian strategic bombers recently visited Venezuela and Russian warships are currently en route to the Caribbean Sea for joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy. | Two long-range Russian strategic bombers recently visited Venezuela and Russian warships are currently en route to the Caribbean Sea for joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy. |
One of the most curious elements of the new relationship between Russia and Venezuela is the man apparently running it from the Russian side. | One of the most curious elements of the new relationship between Russia and Venezuela is the man apparently running it from the Russian side. |
Igor Sechin is a deputy prime minister, one of Vladimir Putin's closest associates, and strongly anti-American. | Igor Sechin is a deputy prime minister, one of Vladimir Putin's closest associates, and strongly anti-American. |
He is widely thought to have worked for Soviet intelligence in African satellite states in the 1980s. | He is widely thought to have worked for Soviet intelligence in African satellite states in the 1980s. |
Mr Sechin has been the most visible face in Russia's recent contacts with the equally anti-American president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. | Mr Sechin has been the most visible face in Russia's recent contacts with the equally anti-American president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. |
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