Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
“Maybe Putin will see it and think twice.”
Following the U.S. operation in Venezuela, in which the Venezuelan dictator and longtime Putin ally Nicolás Maduro was taken captive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joked that “if this can be done with dictators, the U.S. knows what to do next,” several outlets, including Fox News, reported.
The remark, which came during a meeting with reporters, did not clarify whether Zelensky meant that the U.S. should carry out a military operation in Moscow to remove Vladimir Putin or whether he was referring to someone else.
But now, Zelensky has suggested targeting “Putin’s foot soldier.”
Calls for pressure
On Jan. 7, Zelensky told reporters that the United States should intensify its efforts to push Russia toward a settlement, according to the Kyiv Independent.
During the same exchange, Zelensky made a joking comparison involving Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Here is an example with Maduro, right? They carried out an operation… Everyone sees the result — the whole world. They did it quickly. Let them carry out some kind of operation with this — what’s his name — Kadyrov. With this murderer. Maybe then Putin will see it and think twice,” Zelensky said.
Talks continue
Zelensky’s comments come as U.S.-led peace discussions continue despite strained relations between Washington and Moscow, the Kyiv Independent noted.
Earlier the same day, Zelensky said negotiations had reached “a new milestone” with European partners and the United States, adding that he believes Russia’s full-scale invasion could end in the first half of 2026.
Who is Kadyrov?
Kadyrov has ruled Russia’s Chechen Republic since 2007 and has openly described himself as “Putin’s foot soldier.” Human rights groups have long accused his administration of abuses.
According to previous Western government statements, the United States and its allies have sanctioned Kadyrov and members of his family over alleged human rights violations in Chechnya.
Sources: Kyiv Independent, Reuters, AP, Fox News
