Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed strong support for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, according to statements made on his weekly programme on state TV, as reported by TASS.

Maduro asserted that Russia would “ultimately prevail” against what he termed a "surge of Nazism" in Ukraine, predicting that peace would eventually be restored between the two nations.

The Venezuelan leader also commented on recent statements by Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, regarding potential Nato involvement in the conflict. Nebenzya had warned that Nato risking direct confrontation with Moscow if it permitted Kyiv to use long-range weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory – a decision Ukraine's western supporters have not yet made.

Expressing concern over the current global situation, Maduro questioned the decision-making process in Washington and Nato's alleged role in the conflict.

He also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership, describing him as "balanced" and "strong" in managing the situation.

Maduro, who claims to have won a recent disputed election amid widespread allegations of fraud, has long been a staunch ally of Moscow. Venezuela, along with Cuba and Nicaragua, ranks among Russia's closest partners in Latin America.

In turn, Russia has become one of the strongest supporters of the Maduro regime on the international stage. The Kremlin and state-owned energy firm Rosneft reportedly handed Venezuela at least $17bn in loans and credit lines since 2006, trailing only China in Caracas’ financial backers.