Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday, discussing bilateral cooperation and Venezuela's situation, the Kremlin said in a statement.
The two leaders exchanged views on the further advancement of friendly bilateral relations, in line with a strategic partnership and cooperation agreement that entered into force in November 2025, the statement noted.
Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the consistent implementation of joint projects in trade, energy, as well as economic, financial, cultural, humanitarian and other fields, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
It added that Putin expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reaffirmed his support for the Maduro government's policy of safeguarding national interests and sovereignty amid mounting external pressure.
Putin and Maduro signed the strategic partnership and cooperation agreement following bilateral talks in Moscow on May 7. According to the agreement, both countries have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across all key sectors.
Putin, Maduro discuss bilateral cooperation over phone: Kremlin
Putin, Maduro discuss bilateral cooperation over phone: Kremlin
At least seven vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to the latest tracking data from the maritime information platform MarineTraffic cited by CNN, while separate incidents of violence were reported in surrounding Middle East waters the same day.
Also, on Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman disabled the steering capability of a Panama-flagged cargo vessel sailing toward Iran. CENTCOM said the ship has violated the U.S. blockade against Iran and that a U.S. navy helicopter fired two missiles at the vessel. The command said the ship has stopped sailing toward Iran and reiterated that U.S. forces are continuing to enforce a blockade on Iran.
In a separate alert, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Tuesday reported an incident involving a container ship in the Gulf of Oman. UKMTO said the vessel came under attack, with the crew issuing an emergency call for assistance and preparing to abandon ship. A message broadcast over a public maritime radio channel said there were 17 people on board and placed the incident near the eastern edge of the Gulf of Oman.
On the same day, UKMTO also issued another incident report, saying a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea was hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in casualties.
Yemen's Houthis said Tuesday that it attacked a Saudi military equipment transport ship in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Yemen's coast guard, however, said the target was a commercial ship and that the attack killed six people and injured 10.
At least 7 vessels transit Strait of Hormuz Tuesday: U.S. media
