In May of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin played host to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in the Grand Kremlin Palace, just ahead of major celebrations in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
It was a symbolic moment that showcased Putin’s main alliance in the Western Hemisphere. Flanked by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Putin offered warm words of welcome for his Venezuelan counterpart, saying ties between Moscow and Caracas were developing “thanks in large part to the personal attention” of Maduro.
Following restricted-format talks and an official breakfast, the two presidents went on to sign a treaty on strategic…
