Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks during a Cabinet meeting in Moscow, 12 May 2008

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he is looking forward tomeeting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Moscow, to discussprospects for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Mr.Putin made the comments to Venezuela's Vice President Ramon Carrizalesduring talks in Moscow Thursday. The Russian leader said it isunfortunate that the volume of trade and economic cooperation betweenthe countries is so small.

Russian news agencies quoteCarrizales as saying Mr. Chavez's visit may take place at the end ofJuly, but they gave no specific date.

Cooperation between Russiaand Venezuela has been focused on the energy and mining sectors. Venezuela also is a major buyer of Russian weapons.

Last year, trade between the two nations exceeded $1 billion.

Inrecent years, Russia has sold military helicopters and Sukhoi fighterjets to Venezuela, which also has purchased 100,000Kalashnikov-style rifles from the Russians.

The United States bans arms sales to Venezuela, citing its links to Cuba and Iran.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.