Lavrov says US restrictions on Russia’s role in Venezuela oil business are discrimination
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo in Moscow, Russia February 9, 2026. REUTERS/Ramil Sitdikov/Pool
MOSCOW, Feb 11 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that new U.S. restrictions on the role of Russia and other countries in Venezuela's oil business were blatant discrimination.
The Kremlin said earlier on Wednesday that Moscow planned to seek clarification from the United States about the new restrictions.
The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday issued a general license to facilitate the exploration and production of oil and gas in Venezuela. The license did not authorise transactions involving Russian and Chinese nationals or entities.
Lavrov said Russia was in touch with Washington on the issue and wanted to conduct mutually-respectful work "without the idea of domination". REUTERS
