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Venezuela invites Russian pilots to share combat experience

Venezuela wants to go beyond regular military and defense cooperation

Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft Marina Lystseva/TASS

Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft

© Marina Lystseva/TASS

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Venezuela has invited Russian military pilots, who took part in the military operation in Syria, to share their experience with their Venezuelan colleagues, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez told reporters after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday.

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"We have discussed matters of our cooperation. We want to go beyond regular military and defense cooperation, to strengthen it and to develop cooperation at the operative level," he said.

The Venezuelan minister said he suggested "sending Venezuelan Su-30 pilots to share their experience in Russia and to invite Russian pilots, who received precious combat experience in Syria, to come and share it with their Venezuelan colleagues."

The official added that he accepted Moscow’s invitation to attend the annual International Security Conference in Moscow.

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