Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2025 (Picture: Reuters)
Is Vladimir Putin’s resolution for 2026 to develop a conscience?
After the US strikes on Venezuela that left at least 80 people killed and led to the abduction of Nicolas Maduro, the Kremlin is now urging for ‘respect for international legal norms, primarily the UN Charter.’
Coming from a government that has spent years treating borders like they are pencil lines, not just in Ukraine, but Georgia too, the moral high-ground here is questionable.
A statement from the Russian foreign ministry said: ‘We reaffirm Russia’s unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government.
‘We wish authorised president of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez success in resolving the tasks facing the Bolivarian Republic. On our part, we express readiness to continue rendering necessary support to friendly Venezuela.
‘We firmly insist that Venezuela should have guaranteed right to determine its destiny on its own, without any destructive interference from the outside.
‘We consistently stand for de-escalating the current situation and resolving any existing problems through a constructive dialogue and respect for international law, primarily the UN Charter.’
The statement stressed that Latin America and the Caribbean must remain a ‘zone of peace’ and the countries in the region guaranteed sovereignty.
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Earlier this week, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Security Council meeting, also urged for the release of Maduro.
He added: ‘In light of the confirmed information regarding the presence of president Nicolas Maduro and his wife in the United States and, as we know, specifically in New York from today, we urge the American leadership to release the president of an independent country and his wife immediately.’
What is Russia’s relationship with Venezuela?
Historically, Russia’s relationship with Latin America was primarily focused on revolutionary allies, such as Cuba and Nicaragua, during the Cold War.
People burn an effigy of Donald Trump during a protest against the operation by US forces in Venezuela in Karachi, Pakistan (Picture: EPA)
In contrast, Soviet-Venezuelan relations remained relatively muted. It was only after the collapse of the Soviet Union that Venezuela emerged as its crucial partner for Russia’s post-Cold War geopolitical revival.
Under Putin, the two countries forged a strategic partnership, sharing both energy ties and military cooperation.
Generally, Venezuela is viewed as Russia’s most important trading and military ally in the region.
Yet, considering his relationship with Trump, Putin now has to tread carefully, weighing up the potential geopolitical ramifications.
For one, Putin has lost an ally in the face of Maduro, and he backed his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As of now, the future of Russia’s energy holdings in the country – which boasts the world’s largest proven oil reserves – appears to be in Trump’s hands now.
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