Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in a video message on Twitter on Monday that he is flying to Russia and expects to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold ‘serious’ talks.

Maduro is heading to Russia to "strengthen and expand diplomatic relations and friendly ties between the brotherly nations."

"Tomorrow I will have a very serious and important meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Maduro said.

Last month, the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela’s vice president on economic development, Jesus Faria, said Maduro could visit Russia by the end of this year to discuss economic projects. He did not elaborate on the timeframe of the visit.

Maduro’s previous visit to Russia was held on October 4, 2017.