Ryabkov Confirms Will Hold Talks With US Representative For Venezuela In Rome On March 19

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th March, 2019) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed to Sputnik that he would hold consultations with US Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams in Rome on March 19.

On Saturday, the US Department of State said in a statement that Abrams would discuss situation in the Latin American country with Ryabkov and Italian officials in Rome on March 18-19.

"Yes, the consultations will take place. The date is March 19, [the talks will be held] for one day. We have a whole number of stances that we will be communicating to the US side: the inadmissibility of military interference on the part of the United States, the inadmissibility of other forms of pressure on the legitimate authorities in Caracas," the deputy foreign minister said.

The diplomat added that during the consultations, Russia would also raise the issue of pressure put on Russian companies over their business with firms in Venezuela.

Ryabkov also noted that Russia would continue to develop cooperation with Caracas in energy and defense sectors despite Washington's pressure.

According to the Russian diplomat, Moscow will not change its stance on the crisis in Venezuela even amid the United States' threats to impose sanctions on Russia for cooperation with Caracas.