Russia's Reaction to US Operation in Venezuela and Putin's Perspective

Russia's Condemnation and Investment in Venezuela

• 🇷🇺 Russia's foreign ministry has condemned the US capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling for their release.
• 💰 Russia has invested significantly, potentially up to $20 billion, in Venezuela, particularly in its failing oil business, and may be ready to lose this money.
• 🤔 This raises questions for Putin about why Russia invests in shaky regimes.

Putin's Validation and Security Concerns

• ⚡ Putin may feel validated by the US action, seeing it as a precedent that could have been applied to him.
• ⚠️ This perception reinforces his belief that security issues are paramount, potentially influencing his actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine.
• 🇺🇦 He feared being removed from power if Joe Biden disliked him, and the US action against Maduro reinforces his view that "might gives the right."

Trump's Stance and Diplomatic Implications

• 🗣️ President Trump stated he did not discuss Maduro or the Venezuela operation with Putin during their recent phone call.
• 😠 Trump expressed he is "not thrilled with Putin" due to his actions in other contexts.
• 🌍 The US operation in Venezuela, completed in 30 minutes, is seen as an embarrassing contrast to Putin's prolonged efforts in Ukraine.

Broader Geopolitical Context

• 🤝 While Venezuela is a concern, Ukraine, China, and Iran are likely higher on the agenda for discussions between the US and Russia.
• nuclear weapons are seen by Russia as a deterrent and a reason to stand their ground in negotiations.