#Venezuela’s economic collapse is fraying its ties with #Russia; Russian banks, exporters, and even weapons manufacturers are cutting back on business with the struggling nation. #SOSVenezuela nyti.ms/2L4nhAc

This is not surprising. The Kremlin has always preferred symbolic rather than material displays of support– partially due to #Russia's own struggling economy. #Venezuela #SOSVenezuela nyti.ms/2L4nhAc

"#Russia's economic ties to #Venezuela have really slowed down in the past few years... If I was a Venezuelan general debating my future, I wouldn’t count on Russia coming to the rescue,” says Maximillian Hess with the Foreign Policy Institute. nyti.ms/2L4nhAc