MOSCOW — The Kremlin on Thursday rejected U.S. calls for Moscow to withdraw its military specialists from Venezuela, saying they are there to honor obligations under previous arms contracts. “Russia has developed traditional and mutually-beneficial cooperation with Venezuela,” including arms contracts,” Peskov said. Zahkarova questioned the grounds for U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s demands Wednesday for their withdrawal. Zakharova said Pence’s call was a “completely arrogant attempt to dictate to a sovereign state.”Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: Washington Post March 28, 2019 13:26 UTC