Weapons sale to Venezuela not to affect regional stability: Russian official

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kisliak said on Monday that weapons sale to Venezuela would not affect the stability of Latin America.

Export of Russian weapons to Venezuela conformed to current international regulations, said Kisliak at a press conference after a bilateral meeting between Russia and Mexico.

Russia would implement the agreements on arms export to Venezuela and continue to cooperate with the country in this field, said Kisliak.

According to the deals reached between the two countries, Venezuela was to purchase 33 helicopters from Russia's arms export agency Rosoboronexport, among which 15 would be delivered to the South American country by the end of this year.

The helicopters include Mi-35M attack helicopters and Mi-26T transport helicopters, which are the most advanced military copters in the world at present with a capacity of 280 people.

Venezuela has also ordered 100,000 AK-103 rifles from Russia.

The United States has criticized Russia's decision to sell weapons to Venezuela, saying the deals could lead to military imbalance in Latin America.

Washington has also voiced worries and objection to Spain's export of military planes and training planes to Venezuela.

Source: Xinhua