Kathrine Frich
World politics continue at a rapid pace, but one name has been strikingly absent.
Vladimir Putin usually makes his presence felt when close allies come under pressure.
This time, there is silence. Deep silence.
After the United States detained and removed Venezuela’s long-time leader Nicolás Maduro, the Kremlin has maintained an unusually low profile.
Relations between Russia and Venezuela have been close for years. The two leaders have appeared side by side, signed agreements and referred to each other as strategic partners.
That is precisely why the silence has caught the attention of observers and experts, who are questioning why Putin has not publicly defended his former ally.
A deliberate and calculated silence
According to Flemming Splidsboel, senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, the silence is anything but accidental.
Russia has carefully weighed its words and chosen restraint at a moment when much is at stake.
“Generally, Russia has held back. Their statements did not come as quickly as expected,” he said, according to B.T.
While Russian commentators and opinion-makers have been active in the media, official statements have been few and cautious.
According to Splidsboel, the explanation lies in Russia’s current priorities.
The war in Ukraine continues to dominate everything, and the relationship with the United States plays a decisive role.
Putin has previously built his image on protecting allies politically and militarily, but at the moment there are limits to how directly Russia is willing to confront Washington.
Especially because the United States and President Donald Trump play a central role in the ongoing and fragile negotiations over Ukraine.
Ukraine overshadows Venezuela
According to Splidsboel, there is also a more fundamental reason for Russia’s restraint.
The operation against Maduro closely resembles what Russia itself wanted to carry out in Ukraine.
“Basically, exactly the same thing has happened to Maduro as Russia wanted to do to Zelensky. They wanted to take him to Moscow and say that he is a Nazi and should be punished,” Flemming Splidsboel said.
That parallel makes the situation sensitive for the Kremlin. Russia is criticising the United States for doing precisely what it itself had ambitions to do, but without the same international leverage.
As a result, Putin is choosing silence over megaphone diplomacy.
Behind the scenes, Russia remains critical of the American intervention in Venezuela.
The strategic partnership agreed just a few months ago has not been forgotten. But for now, the silence speaks clearly for itself. Ukraine weighs heavier than Venezuela.
Sources: Nyheder24
