Telephone conversation with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro 2018-03-23 17:10:00 Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro at the initiative of the Venezuelan side. Nicolas Maduro congratulated Vladimir Putin on his sweeping victory in the presidential election. The two leaders confirmed their mutual interest in the further development of ties across the entire range of issues pertaining to Russian-Venezuelan partnership. Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the early presidential election planned in Venezuela for May 20 would go smoothly.