POLL: Should Trump capture Putin after daring Venezuela attack? | World | News
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the United States to deal with Vladimir Putin in the same way it has with Nicolas Maduro. The US seized the now deposed Venezuelan president in a lightning raid on his compound in Caracas overnight on Friday.
Ukraine‘s president told reporters on Saturday that the United States “knows what to do next” in response to the news from South America. He suggested in his remark that US President Donald Trump should capture their Russian counterpart. Moscow has roundly condemned the US attack and called for Maduro’s release.
While Putin and Maduro have both been leading authoritarian governments, the Russian leader’s overthrow by the US would arguably have far wider-reaching consequences for the world, however much war-torn Ukraine’s leader might wish for the autocrat’s overthrow.
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Zelensky’s demand, reported by the New York Post, comes as countries and leaders from around the world react in various ways in the aftermath of the operation, presenting arguments for and against such action.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a US “act of armed aggression” against Venezuela in a statement posted on its Telegram channel on Saturday. It said: “Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, outside intervention.”
China condemned the operation, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying: “Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU repeatedly stated Mr Maduro lacked legitimacy, adding the bloc has defended a peaceful transition. She said under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. Ms Kallas said: “We call for restraint.”
Without condemning the US action, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he always believes international law should be upheld. He insisted his administration will “shed no tears” over the end of Maduro’s regime, adding Britain would discuss the “evolving situation” with American counterparts over the coming days.
The United Nations said on Saturday it was “deeply alarmed” at the US strikes and detention of Maduro. It raised concerns the escalation was a violation of international law.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the military action and seizure of Maduro marked “a new dawn for Venezuela”, adding “the tyrant is gone”.
