Venezuela's Maduro hails 'indestructible ties' with Russia

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday hailed "indestructible ties" with Russia during a meeting with Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a BRICS summit. Maduro said the two countries had built "indestructible ties, political and moral ties that have been put to the test over all these years.

"Putin told Maduro that Venezuela was a "reliable partner" for Moscow. The South American nation has long been a key ally of Russia. Late president Hugo Chavez backed Moscow during the war in Georgia in 2008.