The website of the Russian President
The presidents of Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil didn’t just celebrate Victory Day in Moscow
Negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the Kremlin lasted over two hours and concluded with the signing of a strategic partnership and cooperation treaty.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the meeting was thorough, with the two presidents discussing the entire agenda, including specific cooperation in the energy sector, particularly oil.
Peruvian newspaper La República called the treaty «historic», stating that «the agreement elevates Russia-Venezuela cooperation to its highest level at a time when both countries face severe Western sanctions and seek alternatives to prevailing systems».
The new Russia-Venezuela agreement covers energy, military, and financial cooperation. Joint enterprises in oil and gas production will be established, and the exchange of military technology will be expanded.
One of the most innovative aspects of the agreement is the pursuit of an «independent financial system», which would allow transactions to bypass the U.S. dollar and counter Washington’s economic restrictions.
Members of the Venezuelan delegation emphasized that this opens the door to new industrial, technological, and commercial projects.
Yuri Ushakov, the Russian presidential aide on foreign affairs, noted that the treaty covers «global and regional security, counter-terrorism, combating historical falsification and Nazi glorification, economic cooperation, investments, energy, mining, transport, telecommunications, healthcare, and culture — virtually all key bilateral issues».
Another critical area is technology. Venezuela will host a ground station for Russia’s GLONASS satellite navigation system, which will enhance joint space research and improve regional logistics and communication.
Maduro stated that this mechanism would «leap toward comprehensive relations», especially since bilateral trade increased by 64% year-over-year, reaching $200 million. Putin described this figure as «insufficient but promising».
This strategic alliance challenges Western blockade policies and positions itself as an alternative axis of global power. Russia prioritizes its relationship with Venezuela, selecting it as its primary partner in South America.
On March 14, Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro held virtual talks to mark the 80th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. Amid the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Nazi Germany, both leaders reaffirmed their strategic alliance.
Since Maduro’s second presidential term began in 2019, over 350 agreements have been signed and 18 joint commissions have convened.
After Maduro, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez was received by Putin in the Kremlin. Putin highlighted Cuba’s contribution to the fight against Nazism: «I know your visit began in Saint Petersburg, formerly Leningrad, and I’d like to emphasize that Cuban volunteers fought alongside the Red Army, including near Leningrad».
The Cuban leader noted that current efforts aim to preserve historical memory at a time when there are growing attempts to diminish the Soviet Union’s leading role in defeating fascism and its heroic sacrifices.
Cuba is Russia’s longstanding friend and reliable partner in Latin America. Cuba advocates for a fair global order based on multipolarity, the rule of law, and the central role of the UN.
Since Trump’s administration, without direct military interventions against Venezuela, Cuba, or Nicaragua, the U.S. has orchestrated «controlled chaos» to justify intervention — even among allied countries. This chaos benefits Washington’s expansionist interests, enabling control over resources and economies, sustained by local discontent.
A strategic alliance has emerged during this challenging period. Russia, embroiled in a conflict with Ukraine and subject to Western sanctions, seeks to regain its influence in Latin America. Similarly affected by embargoes, Venezuela views Moscow as an essential strategic ally for survival. Maduro views this cooperation as «key to building a multipolar world without hegemony and imperial domination».
During talks in Moscow, President Díaz-Canel affirmed that Cuba’s unity with Russia would counter current and future challenges: «Only unity based on cooperation, solidarity, and friendship allows us to confront present and future challenges».
U.S. intelligence was taken by surprise by the Russia-Venezuela strategic partnership treaty. Brazilian media also noted surprise regarding President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s determination to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow. His decision was sharply criticized and was seen as a show of support for Putin in the Ukraine conflict. According to Trump, the celebration should have been held in the United States.
«Tomorrow is Russia’s big day. They lost millions, but there was no factor as decisive as us. We won the war with help from others», said the 47th U.S. president, who appears to have inherited historical amnesia from his predecessor.
Notably, Brazil was the only Latin American country to send troops to the European front. It declared war on Germany on August 22, 1942. By the summer of 1943, Brazil had formed an expeditionary force of one division, support units, and an air group, totaling 25,000 personnel. Due to delays, a Brazilian proverb emerged: «Mais fácil à uma cobra um cachimbo fumar, do que à FEB embarcar», which translates to «A snake will smoke a pipe sooner than the Brazilian Expeditionary Force will depart for battle».
In the summer of 1944, however, the Americans transported Brazilian units to Italy. By September, Brazilian troops were fighting German forces on the Gothic Line near the Arno River. Approximately 7,000 Brazilian sailors fought the Germans in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Brazil’s armed forces lost 1,889 personnel (including 948 killed), three warships, 22 fighters, and 25 mobilized civilian vessels.
The emblem depicting a pipe-smoking snake remains the official emblem of Brazil’s armed forces.
Thus, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had ample justification for attending the Red Square military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender.