MOSCOW, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday, discussing bilateral cooperation and Venezuela's situation, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The two leaders exchanged views on the further advancement of friendly bilateral relations, in line with a strategic partnership and cooperation agreement that entered into force in November 2025, the statement noted.

Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the consistent implementation of joint projects in trade, economic, energy, financial, cultural, humanitarian and other fields, the Kremlin said Thursday.

It added that Putin expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reaffirmed his support for the Maduro government's policy of safeguarding national interests and sovereignty amid mounting external pressure.

Putin and Maduro signed the strategic partnership and cooperation agreement following bilateral talks in Moscow on May 7. According to the agreement, both countries have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across all key sectors.