Russia and China slam US over sanctions on Venezuela oil company

Russia and China strongly criticized U.S. sanctions placed on Venezuela, with the former pledging to support the beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday the sanctions completely undermined confidence in a international financial system that is dominated by the U.S., Russian news agency Interfax reported.

“Russia is doing everything to support the lawful government of Maduro,” Lavrov added, calling U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan state energy firm PDVSA “cynical.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that the restrictions continue an “undisguised interference in its (Venezuela’s) internal affairs,” calling them “illegal.”