Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a news conference at the Barvikha presidential residence, outside Moscow on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009. Chavez said his country has recognized the independence of Georgian separatist regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia. (Alexander Natruskin/Associated Press)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez recognized the independence of two Russian-supported Georgian separatist regions during a visit to Russia Thursday, a boost to Russia's foreign policy in the region.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also promised to sell Chavez whatever weapons he wants during the meeting between the two leaders, held in Medvedev's residence just outside Moscow.

The statements demonstrate a growing closeness between the two countries, as Russia seeks to expand its global clout and counter U.S. influence in Latin America.

Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia shortly after its troops drove Georgian forces from the regions in a brief war last year. Only Nicaragua had followed suit in acknowledging the regions' independence — a tacit slap by the international community and an embarrassment to Moscow's contentions that it was bringing stability to the regions rather than occupying them.

Russia has thousands of troops stationed in the regions.

"We will soon begin actions to establish diplomatic relations with these countries," Chavez said at the opening of the meeting Thursday.

Russia to sell tanks to Venezuela

He was also expected to discuss possible weapons and energy deals in the meeting with Medvedev and later with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Russian media have said Chavez is looking to finalize the purchase of tanks, aircraft, guns — and possibly even submarines. The RIA-Novosti news agency said a $500 million US contract for 100 T-72 and T-90 tanks would be signed during Chavez' visit.

"We will supply Venezuela the weapons that Venezuela asks for. In accordance with all international law, of course," Medvedev said. "If our friends want our tanks, we will deliver them."

But he said no weapons deals would be made public.

Chavez denied that Venezuela's interest in Russian weapons was part of an arms race, and suggested his country wants to stand up to Washington.

"Previously we were in slavery thanks to the actions of the Yankee empire, and now what we're doing is increasing our military potential," he said. "A blockade is closing in around us."

Medvedev thanked Chavez for his move on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"Russia has always had a simple position — we think that it is a country's sovereign right whether to recognize or not recognize new subjects of international law. But of course, we are not indifferent to the fate of these two states."

Georgia denounces announcement

Chavez, who is on his eighth visit to Russia, was visibly comfortable and at times jocular with Medvedev, and the two smiled and joked with one another before their meetings.

Georgia's government, meanwhile, dismissed Chavez's announcement.

"Recognition of the separatist regimes of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a crystallization process and separates normal countries and renegade countries into different sides," Georgian cabinet minister Temur Yakobashvili said.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke off from Georgia in wars in the mid-1990s, but Georgia kept peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia and held a small section of Abkhazia. Those forces were driven out during the five-day war with Russia in August 2008. Russia says the war started with a fierce Georgian artillery assault on South Ossetia's capital, while Georgia maintains it launched the assault to deter a Russian military incursion into the region.

Abkhazian leader Sergei Bagapsh said Venezuela's recognition would "help to solidify our nation's long-term success."