CARACAS, Dec 22, 2023 (BSS/TASS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro held a phone conversation on Thursday to discuss further development of bilateral relations in various areas, Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov has told TASS.

   "The presidents discussed pressing bilateral issues and coordination on the international arena. [They] came to a conclusion that our strategic partnership requires further all-round development, not just in the spheres of energy, trade and investment, but also in culture and humanitarian contacts."

   "We are actively developing them now in cooperation with our Venezuelan friends," the ambassador added.