Russia urges U.S. to abandon 'irresponsible' plan to topple Maduro

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‍Speaking at a meeting on Sunday in Moscow with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of leading "an unprecedented campaign" to oust "Venezuela's legitimate authorities."

"We condemn this campaign. It is only up to the Venezuelans to decide about the future of their country and inclusive dialogue between all political forces is needed for that. Attempts at a violent coup in Caracas have nothing to do with the democratic process and only frustrate prospects for a political settlement of the crisis," he said.

"We call on both the Americans and those who support them to drop irresponsible plans and act exclusively within the frames of international law," Lavrov said, adding that "ties have become more significant not only for our two countries but for the world."

People light candles during a candlelight vigil held for victims of recent violence in Caracas, Venezuela, May 5, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Jorge Arreaza thanked Russia for its support, accusing the U.S. of "unprecedented" pressure on the government in Caracas aimed at "toppling the legitimate authorities of Venezuela."

Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are due to meet in Finland on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about the escalating political conflict by phone on Friday.

Maduro: 'Ready for any attack from the U.S.'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is ready to see off any attack from the United States, said his foreign minister Jorge Arreaza Monday after a meeting with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a meeting with soldiers at a military base in Caracas, Venezuela, January 30, 2019. /Reuters Photo

"We are ready for all scenarios. The first is diplomacy, dialogue, peace," Arreaza told a press conference. But if Washington "opts for the military path, we have an armed force, a people, a national guard that will be able not just to resist and fight, but also to win," he added.

The statement comes following a failed, U.S.-backed bid by the Venezuelan opposition to spur a military uprising. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed the failure on Russia, a key backer of Maduro.

(With inputs from AFP)

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