Russia will give Chavez 2.2 billion dollars

Russia will give Venezuela a loan for 2.2 billion dollars. This was stated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a joint with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's press conference in Caracas. According to Putin, Venezuela requested the funds from Russia. And Russia has agreed to provide credit. Venezuela has not yet used it, said the Russian head of state. Chavez drew reporters' attention to the fact that the weapons purchased from Russia, is used only for the protection and defense. He stressed that his country had turned to Moscow when the U.S. refused to sell weapons. "All the world is spending (on arms - ed.) Smaller than the U.S. - while Putin said. Russia and the U.S. on good terms. But the Americans flatly refused to supply weapons to the South American country, "Putin said. "Let them continue to not deliver. A holy place is never empty," - concluded the Prime Minister. Recall that when Chavez visited Moscow last September, the parties agreed that Venezuela will receive a credit of 2.2 billion dollars. It is intended for the purchase of Russian military equipment. Venezuela buys 92 Russian T-72 tanks and multiple rocket launchers "Tornado". Note that earlier on Friday Deputy Finance Minister Dmitry Pankin said the draft agreement on the Russian loan Venezuela has no relation to the purchase by Caracas arms. Since 2005, the Chavez government has got helicopters, combat aircraft and Kalashnikov assault rifles, a total of $ 4 billion.