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As the United States captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro a week ago, Trump was asked about cryptic remarks made by his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, who said that if this is how a “dictator” must be treated, then the “United States knows what to do next", hinting at a similar fate for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While disagreeing with Zelensky, Trump stated such a sanction is “not necessary", while adding that he is “very disappointed” with Putin.
“I don't think it's going to be necessary,” Trump mentioned during a meeting with US' oil and gas executives. He added, “I think we're going to have a--and always had--a great relationship with him. I am very disappointed. I settled eight wars. I thought this would be in the middle of the pack or maybe one of the easier ones.”
Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Ukraine has been resisting a renewed Russian offensive since 2022, has so far kept its capital, Kyiv, out of occupation.
While recalling the deaths of soldiers, Trump expressed regret that he couldn't halt the Ukraine–Russia conflict and reiterated his claim of having stopped eight wars around the world. The US President said that around 31,000 people had died in the previous month, many of them Russian soldiers, adding that Russia’s economy was struggling, according to NDTV.
He reportedly expressed confidence that the conflict would eventually be resolved but said he wished it could have been settled sooner, noting that many lives, mostly those of soldiers, were being lost.
Russia-Ukraine war
Russia has stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s cities, and as the invasion nears its fourth anniversary in February, it has increasingly focused on energy facilities, aiming to deprive civilians of heat and running water during the harsh winter. The United Nations said earlier in December that more than 2,300 Ukrainian civilians were killed and over 11,000 injured between January and November, as per AP. The toll was 26% higher than during the same period in 2024 and 70% higher than in 2023, according to the UN.
Maduro's capture
Explosions were first reported in Caracas and nearby areas shortly before 2:00 am (0600 GMT), with the blasts continuing until about 3:15 am on January 3 this year.
Social media footage showed helicopters outlined against the night sky as missiles struck their targets, producing fireballs and towering clouds of smoke. In a post at 0921 GMT on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States had “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the Country.”
US General Dan Caine said the objective of “Operation Absolute Resolve” was solely to apprehend Maduro, with airstrikes used to clear a path for helicopters involved in the capture operation. According to Caine, the mission involved over 150 aircraft and was the result of months of planning.
English (US) ·