In a bold move that defies U.S. sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Nicolás Maduro on his controversial third term as Venezuela’s president, reinforcing Moscow’s support for the embattled leader.

The United States will also extend temporary protections for roughly 600,000 Venezuelan migrants in the United States.

BOGOTA, Colombia—Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was sworn into office for a third consecutive term on Friday, as the United States, European Union and United Kingdom announced a new round of sanctions on the increasingly authoritarian government.

In a bold move that defies U.S. sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Nicolás Maduro on his controversial third term as Venezuela’s president, reinforcing Moscow’s support for the embattled leader.