FIIA’s Senior Research Fellow Mikael Wigell commented on the relationship between Russia and Venezuela in an interview for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (24.1). On a question regarding direct mutual bilateral interests between the countries as well as their individual relations with the US, Wigell stated that: “Moscow’s interest in Venezuela is driven by its quite tense relations with the United States and it wants to [provide a counterbalance to] the United States. Establishing close relations with Venezuela gives Moscow a certain nuisance power in relation to the United States, and that can be used as a bargaining chip in future dealings with the United States. It also can be kind of a showcase for Russia’s aspirations to be considered a global power”.
Interview: Russia's Ties To Venezuela Give It 'Nuisance Power' Over The U.S.
RFE/RL
Robert Coalson
