Russia and Venezuela signed several energy pacts on Friday as Moscow sent a clear signal to Washington it was strengthening ties with the US foe amid a deepening diplomatic chill over Georgia.

The two presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Hugo Chávez, pledged closer co-operation as Mr Chávez visited Russia for the second time in just over two months. His visit came as a fleet of Russian warships were sailing towards the Venezuelan coast for naval exercises.