New Delhi, Dec. 11 -- Just as the United States aided Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado's escape to Norway's Oslo and seized an oil tander off Venezuela's coast, Russian President Vladimir Putin dialed long-time ally President Nicolas Maduro and reaffirmed his support to the country, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Kremlin said, "Vladimir Putin expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and confirmed his support for the Maduro government's policy aimed at protecting national interests and sovereignty in the face of growing external pressure."

Russia has fostered warm ties with Venezuela, with Maduro earlier this year visiting Moscow, where he attended an annual military parade and signed a broad partnership agreement w...