The US operation, which led to the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, prompted a sharp reaction from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, targeting not only Washington but also Ukraine. His response to the events in Venezuela quickly shifted from diplomatic statements to openly aggressive rhetoric, UNIAN reports.
Medvedev has often been described as the Kremlin’s “mouthpiece” for his apocalyptic social media statements, which reflect Moscow’s official position. He has frequently issued nuclear threats aimed at the West.
On 3 January, the US conducted an operation against the regime in Venezuela, Russia's ally. Caracas has supported Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. It has also helped Russia evade Western sanctions imposed on it after the start of the genocidal war against Ukraine.
"Excellent example of US peacekeeping"
Earlier today, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially condemned
the US strikes, expressing “deep concern.” Medvedev went further in his characteristic, sarcastic, and hysterical style.
“An excellent example of US peacekeeping. A harsh military operation in an independent country that posed no threat to the US. The capture by special forces of a legally elected president and his wife,” he said.
He then added that all the actions supposedly took place “strictly within the framework of international law and with the approval of Congress.”
Ukraine in the crosshairs: why Medvedev mentioned Kyiv again
Medvedev also used the events in Venezuela to attack Ukraine
, claiming that the US should act similarly there. He stated that it would be “nice if the US attacked military bases in Ukraine,” effectively issuing a direct threat to a sovereign state.
According to Medvedev, the operation in Caracas served as “proof” that any country must maximize military power, so that “rich bullies” cannot change governments in search of oil or other resources.
The Kremlin’s nuclear argument and Ukraine’s response
The former Russian president emphasized that, in his view, the best defense against such scenarios is the possession of nuclear weapons. Earlier, Russia placed its Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile in Belarus, which puts European cities within its range.
Kyiv says it defends the right of peoples to live without dictatorship
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha took a principled stance in response to the events in Venezuela. He stressed that Ukraine consistently defends the right of peoples to live freely, without dictatorship, oppression, or human rights violations.
Sybiha reminded that Kyiv, along with many other states, did not recognize Maduro’s legitimacy after rigged elections and violence against protesters.
