Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez Wednesday thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for his "determination" in selling him arms despite US opposition.
"One can thank Russia, the firmness of President Putin, Russian workers and government," Chavez told reporters upon arrival at Moscow airport.
"I want to thank President Putin for his determination in reinforcing Venezuela's defense capacity," added Chavez, who is due to hold talks in the Kremlin Thursday.
Several hours earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov rejected Washington's call for Moscow to reconsider its sales, declaring that Russia would honor its contracts for delivery of helicopters and fighter airplanes.
Chavez launched his official two-day visit to Russia Tuesday.
He is due to sign a contract for 24 Sukhoi-30 fighter planes and 30 combat helicopters and to negotiate the estabishment of a Russian Kalashnikov assault rifles factory in Venezuela.
