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 and the Kremlin said it would clarify the matter with Washington, Reuters reported.
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, opens new tab did not authorise transactions involving Russian, Chinese and Iranian nationals or entities.
Lavrov, speaking to the lower house of parliament, said that Russia was in touch with Washington on the issue and wanted to conduct mutually respectful work with the United States "without the idea of domination".
"This is blatant discrimination, despite the fact that Russia, China and Iran have had investments in Venezuela's oil and energy sector," said Lavrov.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia would clarify the situation with Washington.
We do indeed have investments in Venezuela, we have long-term projects, and there is interest both from our Venezuelan partners and from us. Therefore, all of this is a reason to discuss the situation with the Americans," Peskov said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has openly spoken of wanting to control Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the world's largest, in conjunction with U.S. oil companies, after toppling Nicolas Maduro.
Maduro, who was seized by U.S. forces in January, has pleaded not guilty to U.S. drugs charges.
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