Russia and China on Saturday condemned the United States airstrikes on Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
The Russian foreign ministry called the US strikes an act of 'armed aggression' and said that the pretext used to justify the action is untenable.
In a statement the Russian foreign affairs ministry said, 'This morning, the US committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This development gives rise to deep concern and warrants condemnation. The pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable. Ideologised animosity has prevailed over pragmatic engagement, as well as over any readiness to build relations based on trust and predictability.'
'In the current situation, it is essential above all to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a solution through dialogue. We proceed from the understanding that all parties that may have grievances against one another must seek solutions through dialogue-based mechanisms. We stand 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.'
The Russian Federation also supported calls by South American leaders for the calling of an urgent UN Security Council meeting.
'We reaffirm our 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,' the Russian foreign ministry said.
Describing it as a 'hegemonic act that seriously violates international law', Beijing 'strongly condemned the US's blatant use of force against a sovereign state'.
"China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US's blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its President," the Chinese foreign ministry said, reacting to a question on US President Donald Trump's announcement about American airstrikes against Venezuela and the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
"Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region," the ministry said in its reply posted on its website.
"China firmly opposes it. We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security," it said.
China shares a close strategic partnership with Venezuela, built on political alignment, energy cooperation, and shared opposition to US and Western influence in Latin America.
In the last two decades, China has become a major buyer of Venezuela's oil despite US sanctions.
It is also Venezuela's major investor and lender, extending tens of billions of dollars in oil-backed loans.
Meanwhile, in what can be seen as a sign of an increasingly polarised world on the US strike, Kaja Kallas the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs supported the US action saying Nicolas Maduro lacked legitimacy.
"I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela. The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority," she said.
-- with PTI inputs
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