Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro spoke of his “unbreakable ties” and admiration for Russia in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.

“Unbreakable ties, political, moral ties, tested over the yearsMaduro said, according to footage broadcast by Venezuelan public television. Putin replied that Venezuela “is an old and reliable partner of Russia in Latin America and the world in general.”

Maduro also expressed his “admiration” for “great Russia in its fight against Nazism,” a reference to the war in Ukraine. “You knew how to lead the Russian people on all fronts in the world struggle, in the economic, scientific, cultural, military, political and diplomatic spheres. We are therefore very proud of our friendship with you and with Russia,” continued Maduro, whose country is seeking to join the BRICS group.

Putin, for his part, said that “a mutually beneficial partnership is developing in all areas (…) and we are seeing the results».

Venezuela has been a key ally of Russia since the president’s time Hugo Chavez (1999-2013), who had backed Moscow in the 2008 war in Georgia. Moscow is backing Caracas against sanctions imposed by Washington in a failed bid to oust Maduro. Putin also supported his ally after the recent presidential elections at the end of July, while much of the international community (US, Europe, many Latin American countries) does not recognize Maduro’s victory.

Maduro’s visit to Russia for the BRICS summit is his first official trip abroad since the presidential election.