Putin Says Arms Sales To Venezuela 'Could Exceed $5 Billion'

Putin met with Chavez in Caracas on April 2.

Russian news agencies report that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the country's arms sales to Venezuela "could exceed $5 billion."

Putin met Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas on April 2.

The United States has repeatedly voiced concern over Russian weapons sales to Venezuela, a country that has bought over $4 billion in arms from Russia since 2005.

Russia on April 2 agreed to loan Venezuela up to $2.2 billion for the new arms deals.

Meanwhile, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will travel to Argentina on an official visit on April 14-15, followed by a trip to Brazil on April 15-16, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Compiled from agency reports