Putin to meet Chavez, Morales in Venezuela

Russia will cement energy and arms ties with Latin America when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin travels to Caracas this week to meet Venezuelan and Bolivian Presidents Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales. The two leftist leaders can view Putin's visit as a boost after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this month that Washington's critics were losing force in the region. Kremlin watchers will be also tracking comments by Putin on ties with Washington and specifically on a landmark arms-control treaty that his handpicked successor, President Dmitry Medvedev, and U.S. leader Barack Obama have agreed to sign in April. "It is always a good chance for Putin to show to the United States that we have a lot a friends all over the world," said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of the magazine Russia in Global Affairs. Caracas and Moscow said one-day talks between Putin and Chavez would focus on energy, agriculture and defense. Putin's office also said energy would be at the center of talks with Morales, who will meet Putin in Caracas also on Friday.