MOSCOW. Feb 14 (Interfax) - Moscow has reiterated the unacceptability of politicizing humanitarian aid for Venezuela.
"We are categorically opposed to the politicization of the issue of humanitarian aid for Venezuela and its use as a smokescreen to manipulate public opinion in the country and mobilize anti-government forces with the aim of staging a coup," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing in Moscow on Thursday.
Russia believes that Venezuela's humanitarian aid problem can be solved with the help of United Nations mechanisms, she said.
"Russia advocates a respectful attitude toward the UN's mechanisms for the extension of humanitarian aid, including to Venezuela. All of the issues concerning humanitarian aid must be solved in accordance with generally recognized international procedures and via lawful channels, including through the UN office in Caracas or through other humanitarian organizations," Zakharova said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has already announced its readiness to cooperate with Moscow on the Venezuela issue, she said.