Lavrov Says US Restrictions on Russia's Role in Venezuela Oil Business Are Discrimination

Russian 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.

The Kremlin said earlier on Wednesday that Moscow planned to seek clarification from the United States about the new restrictions.

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 did not authorize transactions involving Russian and Chinese nationals or entities.

Lavrov said Russia was in touch with Washington on the issue and wanted to conduct mutually-respectful work "without the idea of domination."