MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - The European Union's ultimatum for the Venezuelan authorities to call new elections within eight days is nothing more than the desire to forcibly impose its will, Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Vladimir Zaemsky said.
"Any ultimatum, no matter what beautiful cover one might try to wrap it in, hides the desire to forcibly impose one's will. It is sad that the European politicians have chosen this very way to talk to Caracas," Zaemsky told Interfax.
"Telling the government of a sovereign country when it must hold elections and why and threatening otherwise to recognize a self-proclaimed alternative acting president is also direct blackmail," he said.
It appears that Europe could recognize Juan Guaido "not because he is supposedly legitimate but because Nicolas Maduro hasn't held new elections," Zaemsky said.
"An attempt to put a brave face on a poor game is not always successful," he said.