It urged parties to seek dialogue-based mechanisms and added that Russia stands ready to support such efforts.

Russia has expressed concern over the United States’ attack and capture of the Venezuelan President and First Lady earlier today, as claimed by US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is extremely concerned by reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse “were forcibly taken out of the country during today’s aggressive actions by the United States.”

“We demand immediate clarification of these reports,” the ministry said.

“If such actions did in fact take place, they represent an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state, the respect for which is a fundamental principle of international law,” it added.

Earlier, in a separate statement, the ministry said that the pretexts used by the US to justify its actions against Venezuela today are “untenable.”

“Ideologized animosity has prevailed over pragmatic engagement, as well as over any readiness to build relations based on trust and predictability,” the statement read.

The ministry further stressed that it is essential to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a solution through dialogue. It urged parties to seek dialogue-based mechanisms and added that Russia stands ready to support such efforts.

“Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it proclaimed itself in 2014. Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny, free from any destructive – let alone military – external interference,” it added.

The ministry affirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and “our support for the course pursued by its Bolivarian leadership, aimed at safeguarding the country’s national interests and sovereignty.”

“We support the statements by the Venezuelan authorities and by the leaders of Latin American countries calling for the urgent convening of a meeting of the UN Security Council,” it further stated.

It also noted that Russia’s Embassy in Caracas is operating as normal, taking into account the situation on the ground, and is maintaining constant contact with Venezuelan authorities as well as Russian nationals present in the country.

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