ROME, March 19. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov will hold consultations in Rome with US Special Envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams on the situation in the Latin American country.

These talks will be the first consultations between Moscow and Washington on this issue. The United States recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, while Russia supports the government of President Nicolas Maduro, who severed diplomatic relations with the US. When the US proposed holding bilateral talks on Venezuela, Moscow confirmed readiness to start consultations only if principles of the UN Charter are observed.

Ryabkov told TASS that he will warn Washington's representatives against military interference and other forms of exerting pressure on the legitimate authorities in Caracas. Moscow repeatedly expressed concern over the possibility of US military interference in Venezuela. The Russian side also intends to urge the US to help in facilitating intra-Venezuelan dialogue.