Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has agreed to resume direct negotiations with the United States as part of ongoing talks to ease U.S. sanctions, which have devastated Venezuela’s economy and driven millions of people to leave the country. Maduro spoke from Caracas Monday.

President Nicolás Maduro: “For two months I’ve received a proposal from the government of the United States to restore conversations and direct dialogue. After mulling it over for two months, I have accepted. Next Wednesday, conversations with the government of the United States will restart.”

This comes less than a month before Venezuela’s presidential election, scheduled for the end of July, in which Maduro seeks a third term in office.