Moscow:In a sharp rebuke, Russia has slammed the United States for what it terms “armed aggression” against Venezuela, accusing Washington of pursuing global dominance and eyeing the South American nation’s vast oil reserves.
The Kremlin urged restraint, warning that ideological hostility is trumping pragmatic diplomacy in this escalating geopolitical tussle.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry described the US actions as unsustainable, with justifications that hold little water. At the United Nations, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia lambasted America for exploiting other countries’ resources to maintain its hegemony. He highlighted how US firms, dominant in Venezuela’s oil sector before nationalisation in the 1970s, are now pushing to reclaim access amid fresh tensions.
The criticism extended to the European Union, with Russian officials accusing Brussels of double standards. Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin envoy, took to the social media platform X to question EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s defence of the US move.
Historically, Moscow and Caracas share deep ties, with Russia offering economic aid, military hardware, and diplomatic backing to President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, including help in dodging sanctions. Yet, analysts doubt President Vladimir Putin will go beyond verbal condemnations. Engulfed in the Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions, Russia is expected to limit its response to UN protests and diplomatic pressure, avoiding direct confrontation.
This delicate balancing act comes as a potential US-Russia thaw under a second Trump term looms, making escalation over distant Venezuela unlikely. As oil interests clash, the world watches to see if words turn to action.