Russia Hopes Brazil Will Use Non-Interference Approach Toward Venezuela - Ambassador

Russia Hopes Brazil Will Use Non-Interference Approach Toward Venezuela - Ambassador

Russia expects Brazil to refrain from interference in the Venezuelan crisis, Russian Ambassador to Brazil Sergey Akopov told Sputnik on the occasion of the Russian Diplomat Day, celebrated on February 10

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2019) Russia expects Brazil to refrain from interference in the Venezuelan crisis, Russian Ambassador to Brazil Sergey Akopov told Sputnik on the occasion of the Russian Diplomat Day, celebrated on February 10.

"We hope that the traditional fundamental principles by which Brazilian diplomacy has been guided for decades, namely non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, non-use of unilateral unauthorized economic or other sanctions against sovereign states by the UN Security Council, will continue to lie in the basis of Brazil's line in regards to the Venezuelan crisis. Recent statements by some of Brazil's top leaders have been encouraging optimism," Akopov said.

Moscow is trying to explain its position to Brasilia on the unraveling crisis, according to the ambassador.

Tensions in Venezuela escalated several weeks ago when Venezuelan opposition parliament speaker Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, disputing last year's re-election of incumbent leader Nicolas Maduro. Guaido was almost immediately recognized by the United States and some other countries.

Russia, China, Mexico, Turkey and Uruguay were among those that have voiced their support for Maduro as the country's legitimately elected president. Brazil has been critical of Maduro.