Moscow Says Russian Servicemen to Remain in Venezuela as Long as Caracas Needs It

"How long? As long as they need it, and as long as the Venezuelan government needs them. It all is being done based on bilateral agreements," the diplomat said in response to a question, adding that "there are international and bilateral legal frameworks for it", TASS reported.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Moscow must get out of Venezuela. Speaking at the White House, Trump also warned that “all options are open” when it comes to getting Russia out of Venezuela.

Around 100 Russian troops touched down in Caracas on Saturday, a show of support for President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in reply to Washington's threat over Venezuela that the Donald Trump administration should make good on its own promise to pull troops out of Syria before telling others where they should or shouldn't be.

"Before they have their say in the lawful interests of other nations, I would advise the US administration to fulfill the promises that it had given to the international community," Zakharova stated, referring to Trump's pledge to get American troops out of Syria, RT reported.

The US is behaving like a "cowboy in the Louvre", undermining international order with its "chaotic moves and unpredictable behavior," Zakharova added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that two of its military planes arrived in Venezuela as part of a 2001 military cooperation deal that does not require further approval by the Venezuelan National Assembly, which has been taken over by the opposition and the self-proclaimed 'interim president' Juan Guaido. The planes carrying up to 100 Russian military specialists and cargo landed outside Caracas on Saturday, prompting wild guesses in the media.

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