Daily Journal:

It is extremely interesting to see how our fleet is able to move so far from its bases and what it is able to demonstrate, besides the flag. A trip to Venezuela is much more distant than to the Mediterranean Sea or even to the Atlantic Ocean, and it will be impossible to hide any shortcomings and failures. Like a litmus test, it will show the state of our fleet: whether there have been any improvements over the past few years, when funding was increased, or not.

The second important point regarding these teachings is the political point. Russia is demonstrating its will to support that very multipolar world that previously appeared only in words. A world divided between those who unconditionally support the United States and those who play their own game. The group of countries playing their game is very diverse, including North Korea, India, and China. Venezuela is also part of this group, and Russia, especially after the conflict in Georgia, needs the countries that are playing their game to support us, since it is clear that countries like the Czech Republic, Poland, the Baltic states will always be together with the United States. And we can hardly count on them showing any kind of solidarity towards us, much less recognizing South Ossetia. Therefore, it is quite possible that the fleet’s campaign is some exotic form of our support for the Chavez regime, and Russia hopes that Chavez will support us and continue his policy in the same direction. Russia is actively trying to engage in shuttle diplomacy with a number of regional powers, which also includes military exercises. Suppose Russian representatives assure South Africa or Venezuela that Russia recognizes their special interests in their regions, and urge them in return to recognize Russia's right to special interests in the CIS countries. This diplomacy must be arranged accordingly, so a fleet campaign can be part of such a policy.