Lavrov says US restrictions on Russia's role in Venezuela oil business are discrimination


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Thabit Kombo in Moscow, Russia February 9, 2026. REUTERS/Ramil Sitdikov/Pool

MOSCOW, Feb ⁠11 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister ⁠Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday ‌that new U.S. restrictions on the role of Russia and other ​countries in Venezuela's oil ⁠business were ⁠blatant discrimination.

The Kremlin said earlier on ⁠Wednesday ‌that Moscow planned to seek clarification ⁠from the United States about the ​new ‌restrictions.

The U.S. Treasury Department on ⁠Tuesday ​issued a general license to facilitate the exploration and ⁠production of oil and ​gas in Venezuela. The license did not authorise transactions involving ⁠Russian and Chinese nationals or entities.

Lavrov said Russia was in touch with Washington on ​the issue and ⁠wanted to conduct mutually-respectful work "without ​the idea ‌of domination".

(Reporting by Dmitry ​Antonov; Writing by Anastasia TeterevlevaEditing by Andrew Osborn)

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