Chavez sends gratitude to Russia's Putin for arms purchases

President Hugo Chavez says that Venezuela is fortifying 'all levels of cooperation' with Russia, including the purchase of more arms. Chavez says he spoke with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin by telephone, and his defense minister will visit Moscow on Wednesday for a series of meetings. The socialist president says he's grateful to Putin for helping Venezuela buy arms in the face of what he sees as a U.S. 'embargo.' Venezuela, however, is the fifth largest supplier of oil to the US.