MADRID, February 9. /TASS/. Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee Andrei Klimov did not rule out that the crisis in Venezuela could escalate into a guerrilla war.

"During my week-long visit to Italy, France and Spain, I held a series of working meetings with all ruling parties in these countries," he told Russian reporters during his visit to Madrid. According to the Russian senator, the three European countries see eye to eye on the situation in Venezuela, stressing that "foreign military intervention is inadmissible, and everything should be done to prevent a civil war."

"I said everywhere - in Italy, Spain and France - that, if sanctions similar to those imposed on Venezuela were slapped on their countries, not a single government would be able to retain power," Klimov emphasized. "The question is whether or not all that [Venezuela’s crisis] will spiral into the guerrilla war phase. I believe there are quite a few people in the US who insist on a military incursion, and I do hope their ambitions will not be realized."

Klimov noted that during his visit to Italy, Spain and France the parties raised the issue of bilateral ties. "None of these conversations revealed any positions that would be directed against restoring normal relations," he said. "As a rule, the participants focused on getting out of the situation that has existed over the past four or five years.".