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  • Venezuela’s Acting President Offers U.S. Cooperation After Trump Warns of Possible Strike

    Venezuela’s acting president invited the United States on Sunday to work together on a plan for “shared development.” This was the first time the Venezuelan government had taken a friendly approach since U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro.

    In a social media statement, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said her government wants to build respectful relations with the United States. She had previously called the Saturday operation an illegal takeover of the country’s resources.

    “We invite the U.S. government to work with us on a cooperation plan focused on shared development under international law, which would help strengthen community relations,” Rodriguez said. “President Donald Trump, our people, and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.”

    Rodriguez, who is also the oil minister, is seen as the most practical member of Maduro’s team. Trump has suggested she is willing to collaborate with the U.S.

    However, she and other officials publicly described the detentions of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as a kidnapping and stated that Maduro is still the country’s legitimate leader.

    On Sunday, Trump told reporters he could order another strike if Venezuela does not help the U.S. open its oil industry and stop drug trafficking. He also warned of potential military action in Colombia and Mexico and claimed Cuba’s communist government appears to be on the brink of collapse. The Colombian and Mexican embassies in Washington did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

    Maduro To Appear in U.S. Court On Monday

    Rodriguez announced that Maduro will appear before a federal judge in New York on Monday. Officials from the Trump administration claim that his capture is a law enforcement effort to hold Maduro accountable for criminal charges from 2020, which say he was involved in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

    Trump has also mentioned that other reasons influenced the raid. He said it was partly due to an increase in Venezuelan immigrants coming to the U.S. and Venezuela’s decision years ago to take control of U.S. oil interests. “We’re taking back what they stole,” he said on Air Force One while returning to Washington from Florida. “We’re in charge.”

    Trump added that oil companies will come back to Venezuela to rebuild the country’s oil industry. He claimed, “They’re going to spend billions of dollars, and they’re going to take the oil out of the ground.”

    Venezuela – High on Oil Reserves but Low on Production

     

    Trump Threatens Colombia’s Petro, Claims Cuba’s ‘Ready to Fall’

    Global oil prices rose slightly as investors considered what U.S. military action in Venezuela might mean, and stock markets went up in Asia.

    Maduro, 63, faces charges that accuse him of helping major drug trafficking groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang. Prosecutors say he ran cocaine trafficking routes, used the military to guard shipments, protected violent trafficking groups, and used government property to move drugs. Originally filed in 2020, the charges were updated on Saturday to include his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also captured by U.S. forces and is accused of ordering kidnappings and murders.

    Maduro denies any wrongdoing, and it may take months before he goes to trial.

    Raid Draws Criticism and Questions About Legality

    The United States has called Nicolás Maduro an illegitimate dictator since he claimed victory in the 2018 election, which had many allegations of fraud. Former President Trump has said that opposition leader María Corina Machado cannot take over because she does not have enough support.

    Machado is banned from the 2024 election but believes her ally, Edmundo González, has the right to be president. Some international observers say González won that election overwhelmingly.

    Most countries do not support Maduro, but many have questioned the legality of taking a foreign leader by force. They want the U.S. to follow international law. The U.N. Security Council plans to meet on Monday to discuss the U.S. attack. Secretary-General António Guterres called this action a dangerous precedent.

    China has also criticized the U.S, saying it violates international law. They demand the release of Maduro and his wife.

    This attack has raised concerns in the U.S. Some opposition Democrats say the administration misled them about its policy on Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to brief lawmakers in Washington later on Monday.

    Venezuela, once a wealthy country in Latin America, has seen its economy collapse over the last 20 years. This crisis has caused many Venezuelans to leave, with one in five moving abroad. Removing Maduro, who has led Venezuela for over 12 years after Hugo Chávez’s death, could make the situation in the country of 28 million people even worse.

  • Trump Threatens Colombia’s Petro, Claims Cuba’s ‘Ready to Fall’

    Trump Threatens Colombia’s Petro, Claims Cuba’s ‘Ready to Fall’

    U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro after the U.S. abducted Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro. Trump also suggested that the Cuban government might fall soon.

    These comments from Trump came on Sunday, despite widespread condemnation of the U.S. action. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain called this abduction a “dangerous precedent for peace and regional security.”

    While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump described Colombia and Venezuela as “very sick” countries. He claimed that Petro, the leader in Bogotá, is “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” Trump added, “And he’s not going to be doing it very long. Let me tell you.”

    When asked if he meant a U.S. operation against Colombia, Trump replied, “Sounds good to me.”

    Petro responded sharply, telling Trump to “stop slandering” him. He urged Latin American countries to unite, warning that they could be treated as “servants and slaves.”

    In several posts on X, Petro pointed out that the U.S. is the first country ever to bomb a capital in South America. However, he said that revenge is not the answer.

    Instead, he called for Latin America to come together and become a region that can “understand, trade, and connect with the whole world.” He added, “We do not look only to the north, but in all directions.”

    Trump’s Warnings to Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba

    US forces captured Maduro in Caracas on Saturday. Washington called this a law enforcement operation to bring him to trial for “narcoterrorism” charges.

    Maduro denies these claims. Critics say the U.S. wants to remove him to control Venezuela’s oil reserves.

    On Air Force One, Trump said the U.S. is still “in charge” of Venezuela, despite the country’s Supreme Court naming Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the interim leader. He warned that the U.S. military could return to Venezuela if it “doesn’t behave.”

    Trump claimed that many Cubans died in the U.S. raid on Caracas. He added that intervening in Cuba is unnecessary because the country seems ready to collapse on its own.

    “Cuba is ready to fall,” he said. “They have no income now. They got all their money from Venezuela and Venezuelan oil. They’re not receiving any of it. Cuba is literally ready to fall.”

    Trump also warned Mexico to “get their act together” because drugs are flowing through Mexico and action is needed. He called Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum a “terrific person” and said he offered to send U.S. troops to Mexico whenever he talked to her.

    He noted that the Mexican government can handle the problem, but the cartels are very powerful in Mexico. Trump has been clear about wanting to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere, revisiting the Monroe Doctrine, which states that Latin America is under U.S. influence. He calls his version the “Don-roe Doctrine.”

    His remarks on Sunday were not his first warnings to Latin American countries.

    After Maduro’s capture, Trump told Petro to “watch his back” and mentioned that the political situation in Cuba is “something we’ll talk about because Cuba is a failing nation.”

    Dangerous Precedent

    The U.S. attack on Venezuela has received strong criticism from many countries.

    Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain made a joint statement to express their strong concern and rejection of the military actions in Venezuela.

    They said, “These actions break important international laws, especially the rules against using or threatening force. These actions create a dangerous situation for peace and regional security and put civilians at risk.”

    Analysts also pointed out that it is uncertain whether Trump will act on his threats or if he is trying to pressure these countries into working with the U.S.

    “It’s hard to predict. Trump often hopes that other countries will do what he wants without using much force. He believes that these quick, public shows of force, like the bombing in Iran and the operation in Venezuela, will scare other nations into complying,” said David Smith, an associate professor at the University of Sydney’s U.S. Studies Centre.

    Trump’s Push for Regime Change in Latin America

    Trump is trying to influence governments in Latin America. Smith says he has clashed with Colombian President Gustavo Petro over deportation flights. He also sanctioned a Brazilian judge who prosecuted former President Jair Bolsonaro for trying to start an insurrection. Bolsonaro is a Trump supporter.

    Trump has supported the right-wing government of Javier Milei in Argentina and pardoned ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who faced drug trafficking charges.

    Smith noted that in the first year of his administration, Trump has aimed to promote right-wing governments in Latin America and weaken left-wing governments.

    Matthew Wilson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University, believes Cuba will be a top target for further U.S. action. The U.S. has a long history of issues with Cuba.

    Relations between the U.S. and Cuba have been tense since Fidel Castro overthrew a U.S.-backed government in 1959 and set up a socialist state with the former Soviet Union.

    Wilson stated, “I would be more concerned if I were in Cuba than in Colombia. The U.S. has long-standing grievances against Cuba and a strong group of Cuban Americans who are very hostile to the regime there.”

  • Maduro Detained at New York Facility as Trump Claims US will Run Venezuela

    Maduro Detained at New York Facility as Trump Claims US will Run Venezuela

    President Nicolás Maduro is currently in custody at a detention center in New York after being captured during U.S. military operations in Venezuela on Saturday.

    Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, were transferred from Caracas to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to face charges related to drug trafficking.

    Maduro has previously denied that he leads a drug cartel.

    In response to the situation, Venezuela has declared a state of national emergency and condemned what it refers to as “military aggression.” Here is an overview of how the U.S. operation unfolded.

    President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. intends to “run” Venezuela “until such time as we can achieve a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”

    Trump said that U.S. oil companies would fix Venezuela’s infrastructure and help the country make money.

    Some observers are worried about this. They think Trump may not really care about creating a democratic and fair future for Venezuela. Instead, they believe he might be focused on taking advantage of its oil wealth, as reported by correspondent Tom Bateman.

    Maduro’s Accusations Against the Trump Administration

    Maduro says that Trump wanted to get rid of him so he could take Venezuela’s oil. After the U.S. took an oil tanker near Venezuela, Trump said, “I think we will keep the oil.”

    However, U.S. officials have repeatedly denied Maduro’s claims. They say their actions against his government were not meant to access Venezuela’s untapped oil reserves.

    As reported by my colleague, Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, and profits from the oil sector account for more than half of its government budget. Unfortunately, the country’s oil exports have suffered due to sanctions, a lack of investment, and mismanagement within its state-run oil company.

    In 2023, Venezuela produced only 0.8% of global crude oil, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Currently, it exports approximately 900,000 barrels of oil per day, with China being its largest buyer.

    Venezuela Oil is Likely to Play a Crucial Role

    Former President Trump has made it clear that he wants the United States to have access to Venezuela’s oil fields. The country boasts an estimated 300 billion barrels of oil reserves, making it the largest on Earth. Although most of this oil is extra-heavy crude, which is costly and difficult to extract, Venezuela remains the fifth-largest exporter of oil globally.

    Despite an increasing number of U.S. Navy vessels being stationed in the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela still managed to send nearly a million barrels of oil per day to China, southern Europe, and the U.S. last month. However, oil production has been significantly affected in recent years due to political unrest. For decades, the state-owned oil and natural gas company, Petróleos de Venezuela, has faced strikes and accusations of poor safety standards.

    The U.S. has accused President Maduro of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking, while Maduro has accused Washington of seeking to control Venezuela’s oil reserves. Fortunately, the oil fields appear to have escaped damage from recent airstrikes. Regardless of what lies ahead for Venezuela, its oil industry is likely to continue playing a vital role.

  • World Responds to US Bombing Venezuela & Maduro’s ‘Capture’

    World Responds to US Bombing Venezuela & Maduro’s ‘Capture’

    United States President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. conducted a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro.

    In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after an operation conducted with U.S. law enforcement.

    The strikes happened inside Venezuela early on Saturday, marking a serious escalation that many Venezuelans had feared for weeks.

    U.S. media outlets, including Fox News and CBS News, reported on the strikes against the South American country.

    In a statement on X, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau proclaimed that Venezuela was experiencing a “new dawn.” He stated, “A new dawn for Venezuela! The tyrant is gone. He will now – finally – face justice for his crimes.”

    In an initial response, Maduro accused the U.S. of “extremely serious military aggression.” His government declared, “Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people.”

    Other countries are also reacting to the attack.

    Cuba

    Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the United States on social media. He accused the U.S. of carrying out a “criminal attack” against Venezuela and called for an urgent international response. In a post on X, Diaz-Canel stated that Cuba’s so-called “zone of peace” was being “brutally assaulted,” labeling the US action as “state terrorism” directed not only at the Venezuelan people but at “Our America” more broadly. He concluded his statement with the revolutionary slogan, “Homeland or Death, We Shall Overcome.” Additionally, a statement released by various Cuban embassies worldwide denounced the US military attack against Venezuela and demanded an urgent reaction from the international community, describing the attack as “state terrorism.”

    Chile

    Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font expressed his government’s “concern and condemnation” of the US military actions in Venezuela in a statement posted on X. He called for a peaceful resolution to the serious crisis affecting the country, reaffirming Chile’s commitment to fundamental principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of states. Boric stated, “The Venezuelan crisis must be resolved through dialogue and the support of multilateralism, not through violence or foreign interference.”

    Mexico

    In a statement on X, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo condemned the military intervention in Venezuela. She included an article from the UN Charter that states, “Members of the Organization must not threaten or use force against any state’s land or political freedom. They should also avoid actions that go against the goals of the United Nations in their international relations.”

    Trinidad and Tobago

    “Earlier this morning, Saturday, January 3, 2026, the United States commenced military operations in the territory of Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. We continue to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a statement.

    Iran

    In a statement posted on X, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated, “What’s important is that when one realizes an enemy wants to impose something on one’s government or nation with false claims, they must stand firmly against that enemy.”

    “We won’t yield to them. With reliance on God and the confidence of the people’s support, we will bring the enemy to its knees,” he added.

    Russia

    Moscow is very concerned and has condemned what it calls an “act of armed aggression” by the United States against Venezuela, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry emphasized that it is important to prevent further escalation and to focus on resolving the issue through dialogue.

    The ministry emphasized that “Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive military intervention from outside. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and support for their leadership’s policy of defending the country’s national interests and sovereignty,” it added. The ministry also expressed extreme concern about the capture of President Maduro and his wife, stating that such actions constitute an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state.

    United States

    In a statement posted on X, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. “Nicolas Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of destructive devices and machine guns, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States. They will soon face the full force of American justice in American courts,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Republican Senator Mike Lee announced that the U.S. has completed its military action in Venezuela following the capture of Maduro. He said he anticipates no further action now that Maduro is in U.S. custody, stating this after a telephone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    United Kingdom

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK was not involved in the United States’ strikes on Venezuela and expressed his intent to speak with President Trump to gather the full facts of what had occurred. “I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to our allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved … and I believe we should all uphold international law,” he said in a statement to British broadcasters.

    European Union

    The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that she has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU ambassador in Caracas regarding the latest developments in Venezuela.

    “The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,” Kallas said in a statement on X. “The EU has repeatedly asserted that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy and has advocated for a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.”

    Germany

    In a statement to the AFP news agency, Germany’s foreign ministry expressed that it is “monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closely and following the latest reports with great concern.” The foreign ministry added that it is in close contact with the embassy in Caracas and that the government’s crisis team is in session, coordinating closely with its partners.

    Italy

    Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni indicated that she is “closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,” with the goal of “gathering information about our fellow citizens” in the country. Meloni mentioned that she is in constant contact with Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani. Approximately 160,000 Italians currently reside in Venezuela, most of whom hold dual citizenship.

    Indonesia

    Indonesia is keeping an eye on developments in Venezuela to ensure the safety of its citizens, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang. “Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize a peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue while focusing on the protection of civilians. Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”

  • Iran’s Khamenei Urges Putting Rioters ‘in their Place’ Amid Protests

    Iran’s Khamenei Urges Putting Rioters ‘in their Place’ Amid Protests

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that “rioters must be put in their place” after a week of protests shaking the country.

    Khamenei, who is 86, made his first comments on Saturday as violence related to the protests over Iran’s struggling economy has resulted in at least 10 deaths.

    The protests continue, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Friday. He stated that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the U.S. “will come to their rescue.” It is unclear if or how Trump will intervene, especially after a major U.S. military attack on Venezuela and the supposed capture of President Nicolas Maduro. His comments led to immediate anger from Iranian officials.

    Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council, asking them to condemn Trump’s “unlawful threats” against Iran. Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said that U.S. interference “causes chaos in the entire region and harms U.S. interests.”

    These protests are the largest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody led to nationwide protests. However, these protests so far have not been as widespread or intense as those that followed Amini’s death, which happened after she was detained for not wearing her hijab as authorities required.

    Foreign Powers Were Pushing the Protests – Khamenei

    In a speech in Tehran, Khamenei spoke about the protests in Iran over the collapsing rial. He tried to draw a line between the protesting Iranians, who are concerned about the economy, and what he called “rioters.”

    “We need to talk to protesters; officials must engage with them,” Khamenei said. “But there’s no point in talking to rioters. They need to be dealt with.”

    He repeated a claim often made by Iranian officials, saying foreign powers like Israel and the U.S. are encouraging the protests, but he provided no proof. He also blamed “the enemy” for the drop in the rial.

    “A group incited or hired by the enemy is encouraging shopkeepers and tradesmen to chant slogans against Islam, Iran, and the Islamic Republic,” he said. “This is what really matters.”

    Khamenei also stated that the U.S. “must and will leave” the region.

    “With the determination of the nations in the region, America must and will exit this area,” he declared.

    Economic Downturn

    Iran’s civilian government, led by reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, has been trying to convey its willingness to negotiate with protesters. However, Pezeshkian has acknowledged the limitations on his ability to act, as Iran’s rial has rapidly depreciated, which initially sparked the protests.

    The recent protests are driven by economic issues. Demonstrators are expressing their dissatisfaction with the government and have clashed in several cities. These clashes have led to multiple deaths and many arrests, according to Iranian authorities.

    Since the war with Israel in June, during which the U.S. bombed nuclear sites in Iran, Tehran has struggled to stabilize its economy.

    Recently, Iran announced that it is no longer enriching uranium at any of its sites, signaling to the West its openness to potential negotiations regarding its nuclear program in an effort to ease sanctions.

    However, these talks have yet to materialize, as former President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have threatened Tehran over both its nuclear and missile programs.

  • Trump Warns US Will Interfere if Iran Kills Protesters

    Trump Warns US Will Interfere if Iran Kills Protesters

    U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran’s leaders not to harm peaceful protesters. He said that the U.S. “will come to their rescue.”

    In a short post on social media, he stated, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” but he did not give further details.

    A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded, advising Trump to “be careful” if he intervenes, warning of potential chaos across the Middle East.

    Reports indicate that at least eight people have been killed in Iran following almost a week of mass protests triggered by worsening economic conditions.

    In his post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.”

    The U.S. President did not specify what actions Washington might take against the Iranian authorities.

    In June, the U.S. conducted strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites under Trump’s orders. American officials later argued that these strikes significantly hindered Tehran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim disputed by Iran.

    In retaliation, Iran launched a missile attack on a major U.S. military base in Qatar.

    Khamenei Adviser Warns Trump

    Shortly after Donald Trump’s latest social media post, Ali Larijani, an adviser to Khamenei, issued his own warning.

    “Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and jeopardizing America’s interests,” he wrote.

    However, some protesters expressed that intervention from the US would be welcome.

    “They [security forces] are afraid and shake to their bones when Mr. Trump or Mr. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu says something,” a young woman protesting in Tehran told the BBC’s Newshour programme. Preferring to remain anonymous for her own safety, she mentioned that protesters had been seeking US support for years because the security forces “believe that if Trump says something, he will do it,” and they “know that if anything happens, they would have to face the consequences.”

    Casualties Amid Protests

    On Thursday, six people in Iran were reported to have been killed during the fifth day of protests. According to the semi-official Fars news agency and the human rights group Hengaw, two people died in clashes between protesters and security forces in the southwestern city of Lordegan. They were identified as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh, both confirmed as protesters.

    Three individuals were reported killed in Azna, and another died in Kouhdasht, all in the western part of the country. Fars did not specify whether these victims were demonstrators or security force members. Additionally, one death was reported in Fuladshahr, central Iran, and another casualty occurred in Marvdasht, in the south.

    Footage shared on social media depicted cars set on fire during violent confrontations between protesters and security forces.

    Earlier, Iranian officials stated that a young member of the country’s security forces had been killed on Wednesday in the western city of Kouhdasht. However, protesters claimed that the man was actually one of their own and had been shot dead by the security forces.

    On Friday, clashes erupted during the burial ceremony for the slain man, which was attended by thousands of mourners. Uniformed members of the security forces attempted to carry his coffin, but the crowd wrested it from them and chased them away.

    Why Protests Erupted Across the Country?

    The protests started on Sunday in Tehran, driven by shopkeepers’ anger over another significant decline in the value of the Iranian currency, the rial, against the US dollar in the open market.

    By Tuesday, university students had joined the demonstrations, which spread to several cities, with many people chanting against the country’s clerical leaders.

    President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that he will listen to the “legitimate demands” of the protesters.

    In response, the country’s Prosecutor-General, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, warned that any attempt to create instability would be met with a “decisive response.”

  • Zelensky Appoints GUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov as His Chief of Staff

    Zelensky Appoints GUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov as His Chief of Staff

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Kyrylo Budanov, the military intelligence chief, as his new chief of staff. This decision comes as Ukraine and the United States work on a 20-point plan aimed at ending Russia’s war.

    “Ukraine needs to prioritize security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces, as well as the diplomatic aspects of negotiations. The Office of the President will primarily focus on fulfilling these tasks for our country,” Zelensky stated on X on Friday.

    “Kyrylo has the specialized experience and the strength needed to achieve these results,” he added.

    This appointment of Budanov, who heads the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) in the Ministry of Defense, comes at a critical time in the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. Zelensky announced on Wednesday that the U.S.-brokered deal to end the war is “90 percent” ready.

    Budanov has been recognized for executing a series of bold operations against Russia since the start of its all-out assault on Ukraine in 2022. At 39 years old, he has led the GUR since his appointment by Zelensky in August 2020.

    A seasoned military intelligence officer, Budanov climbed the ranks within the defense establishment following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014.

    Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, Budanov has become a key figure in Ukraine’s intelligence efforts. He often gives interviews and briefings that aim to send strategic messages and apply psychological pressure on Moscow.

    Budanov has consistently warned about Russia’s long-term goals for Ukraine and the region. He describes the conflict as a vital struggle for Ukraine’s independence and statehood.

    Russian Forces Attack Kharkiv

    On Friday, a Russian strike on residential buildings in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv wounded 19 people, including a six-month-old baby, according to Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov in a post on Telegram.

    This attack followed a day after Russia accused Kyiv of launching a strike on a hotel and a cafe in the occupied southern regions of Ukraine, which resulted in 27 fatalities. Russia warned of “consequences.” Ukraine claimed that the attack targeted a military gathering that was closed to civilians.

    Images captured by the AFP news agency from the site of the Russian strike in Kharkiv depicted damaged multistory buildings, piles of smoldering rubble, and firefighters working to extinguish the blaze.

    President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as “heinous” and stated on social media that “preliminary reports indicate two missiles struck an ordinary residential area.”

    “Unfortunately, this is how the Russians treat life and people—they continue killing, despite all efforts by the world, and especially by the United States, in the diplomatic process,” he added.

    Procedures to formally appoint Zelensky’s chief of staff have been initiated, as confirmed by his adviser Dmytro Lytvyn to journalists.

    Zelensky also announced that Oleh Ivashchenko, the chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service, will succeed Kyrylo Budanov as head of the GUR.

    Budanov will take over from Andriy Yermak, a controversial figure in Kyiv. Yermak, who was honored as a Hero of Ukraine and was known to be Zelensky’s most important ally, resigned in November after investigators raided his home as part of a sweeping corruption probe.

    The scandal involving Yermak, who was also Kyiv’s lead negotiator in US-backed peace talks, fueled public anger over ongoing high-level corruption. Opponents accused him of amassing significant power, acting as a gatekeeper to the president, and ruthlessly sidelining critical voices.

  • Ukraine Denies Involvement in Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence

    Ukraine Denies Involvement in Drone Attack on Putin’s Residence

    President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied Russia’s claims that Ukraine attacked one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences with drones. He accused Moscow of trying to disrupt peace talks.

    Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said Ukraine used 91 long-range drones on Sunday night to target Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region of Russia.

    Following the alleged attack, Russia announced it would review its stance in peace negotiations. It is not clear where Putin was during this time.

    Zelensky called the claims “typical Russian lies” and suggested they serve as an excuse for Russia to continue its attacks on Ukraine. He pointed out that Russia has previously targeted government buildings in Kyiv and warned that this latest accusation could lead to more strikes on Ukraine.

    “Everyone needs to stay alert right now. A strike could happen in the capital,” Zelensky told reporters on Monday. He described Russia’s comments as a “threat.”

    He also said Russia is “looking for reasons” to keep attacking Ukraine and sees any progress toward a ceasefire as a “failure.”

    Zelensky emphasized on X: “The world must not stay silent now. We cannot let Russia undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace.”

    Russia to Change Its Negotiating Position

    On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed all 91 drones that were launched at President Putin’s residence. He also mentioned that there were no injuries or damage from the attack.

    Lavrov stated, “Because of the complete deterioration of the Ukrainian government, which has turned to state terrorism, Russia will revise its negotiating position.” However, he noted that Russia does not plan to stop negotiating with the United States, according to the Russian news agency Tass.

    On Tuesday, the Kremlin said it would not provide proof of the alleged attack. A spokesman told reporters that Russia would now take a tougher negotiating stance.

    Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged other countries to ignore Russia’s “false claims.” He said, “Almost a day has passed, and Russia still hasn’t provided any credible evidence for its accusations about Ukraine’s supposed ‘attack on Putin’s residence.’ They won’t, because there is none. No such attack happened.”

    Moscow’s claims followed talks between the U.S. and Ukraine in Florida on Sunday, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky discussed a new peace plan to end the war. After the meeting, Zelensky told Fox News on Monday that there was a “chance to end this war” by 2026. He emphasized that Ukraine cannot win the war without U.S. support.

    “My view of President Trump’s sanctions and economic measures shows that he’s ready to take strong actions,” Zelensky said. “In this situation, the United States can help us achieve peace more quickly.”

    I Don’t Trust Putin – Zelensky

    The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, told Fox News that he does not trust Putin. He believes that Putin does not want Ukraine to succeed. Zelensky mentioned that the US provided Ukraine with security promises for 15 years, and Trump said they were close to finalizing this agreement.

    Zelensky pointed out that the main issues left to resolve are territorial concerns and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. There has been little progress regarding the Donbas region, which Russia wants to take completely. Currently, Russia controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and nearly 99% of the Luhansk region. Together, these regions are called Donbas. Russia has rejected important parts of the ongoing plan.

    On Monday, the White House reported that President Trump had a “positive call” with Putin after the US-Ukraine talks.

    Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin foreign policy advisor, shared that during the call, Putin mentioned an alleged attack on his residence occurred soon after what the US considered a successful round of talks. Ushakov said, “The US president was shocked and angry about this information. He couldn’t believe such reckless actions. This will certainly affect how the US works with Zelensky.”

  • Iran Warns of ‘Severe’ Response after Trump’s New Strikes Threat

    Iran Warns of ‘Severe’ Response after Trump’s New Strikes Threat

    Iran has promised to respond strongly to any attacks after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened more military action if Tehran tries to rebuild its nuclear program or missile capabilities.

    President Masoud Pezeshkian made this warning on X on Tuesday, one day after Trump met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Florida estate. During this meeting, Trump strongly supported Israel’s position in the region.

    The U.S. had not previously said it would target Iran’s missile capabilities, which is an important goal for Israel. Instead, the focus has been on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran insists that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. U.S. intelligence and the U.N. nuclear watchdog have not found any evidence of nuclear weapons production before the attacks by the U.S. and Israel in June.

    Iran has refused to negotiate about its missile program. These comments from both leaders raise concerns about a new conflict, just months after a 12-day war in June that killed over 1,100 Iranians and 28 Israelis.

    Pezeshkian said that any aggression would lead to a “severe and regret-inducing” response from Iran. His statement came shortly after Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago that the U.S. could carry out another major attack on Iran.

    “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down,” Trump said while standing next to Netanyahu. “We’ll knock the hell out of them.”

    Trump also stated that he would support immediate strikes on Iran’s nuclear program and missile facilities if Tehran continues developing long-range weapons.

    Iran is Rebuilding Its Ballistic Missile Stockpile, Israeli Forces Say

    Israeli officials are worried that Iran is rebuilding its stockpile of ballistic missiles after significant losses during the June conflict.

    One Israeli official told Ynet that if the U.S. does not reach an agreement with Iran to stop its ballistic missile program, a confrontation with Tehran might be necessary.

    Pezeshkian described the situation as a “full-scale war” involving the U.S., Israel, and Europe. He said this conflict is “more complicated and more difficult” than Iran’s war with Iraq in the 1980s, which killed over one million people.

    In June, Israel carried out nearly 360 strikes across 27 Iranian provinces in 12 days, according to the conflict monitoring group ACLED. The attacks focused on military bases, nuclear plants, and government buildings. They destroyed many Iranian missiles and killed several important military leaders and scientists.

    In response, Iran fired over 500 missiles at Israel, with some landing in towns. While Trump claimed that the strikes “completely obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, experts disagreed, saying Iran may still have hidden stockpiles of enriched uranium and could restart production within months.

    Despite the damage, Iranian officials say they are now better prepared. Pezeshkian recently stated that Iran’s military forces are “stronger in terms of equipment and manpower” than they were before the ceasefire.

    The war did not lead to the internal unrest that Netanyahu expected. There were no significant protests, and daily life in Tehran continued normally despite the attacks.

  • Moscow May Benefit More Than Lose from US Intervention in Venezuela

    Moscow May Benefit More Than Lose from US Intervention in Venezuela

    President Donald Trump’s growing threats to Venezuela may seem random, but they are part of larger global conflicts. This situation is not just a regional issue; it has broader implications.

    Venezuela is becoming a bargaining chip in the struggle between major world powers, similar to Ukraine.

    In his history of World War II, Antony Beevor shows how different conflicts around the globe, like the Nanjing massacre in China, Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia, and the Spanish Civil War, contributed to the start of the war.

    This does not mean we are heading toward a third world war, but the risk is always present. As long as Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin focus more on making deals than on fighting, it is more likely that they will reach an agreement than that a global war will occur.

    Venezuela may not be a superpower, but it is important globally. It has the largest proven oil reserves in the world and is a political ally of China, Iran, and Russia, all countries that the US sees as rivals. Among these, Russia has the most complicated relationship with Venezuela. The US’s actions carry risks for Russia, but there may also be benefits.

    A significant factor in this situation is the surprising improvement in US-Russia relations during Trump’s second term.

    The War is Ending on His Terms

    Since Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, the Kremlin has seen the United States as an unreliable partner and later as an enemy, believing the US aims to divide and control countries in the former Soviet Union.

    Things changed when Donald Trump returned to the White House in early 2025. The US largely stopped its financial aid to Ukraine and took a neutral stance, although it still provides important intelligence to the Ukrainian military. In its latest National Security Strategy, the US even removed Russia from the list of “direct threats.”

    As peace talks regarding Ukraine, started by Trump, slowly move forward, Putin may think that the war will end on terms favorable to him. Despite showing defiance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently indicated he might agree to withdraw Ukrainian forces from northern Donbas, which is one of Russia’s main demands in the negotiations. This is just one of several concessions he has mentioned he might consider in 2025, while the Kremlin stays firm in its position.

    At the same time, European Union countries have struggled to agree on a reparations loan that could provide steady funding for Ukraine in the future. A last-minute, cheaper alternative was suggested, but this situation shows the limits of Europe’s support for Ukraine.

    Given these factors, it is not a good time for the Kremlin to risk its complicated but generally beneficial relationship with Trump’s administration over an issue as unrelated to Russia’s main interests as Venezuela.

    Russia may make the expected public statements. Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s envoy to the United Nations, accused the US of “aggressive neocolonialism” by pressuring Venezuela. He claimed the US is “cynically imposing its order” to maintain global control and exploit other countries’ resources without consequences.

    This refers to the US’s demands for Venezuela to allow American oil companies back in, which used to control much of the country’s oil industry before it was gradually nationalized in the 1970s.

    Military Attack on Venezuela Potentially Exceeds the Losses

    The potential fall of Nicolas Maduro’s government is unlikely to be a disaster for Russia. Russia has shown it can adapt to new governments that replace its traditional allies in countries affected by U.S. regime change, as seen in Iraq and Syria.

    There are also political calculations to consider. A U.S. military attack on Venezuela might have more benefits than drawbacks for Russia. Such an attack would put Russia and the U.S. on equal moral ground regarding the war in Ukraine. If the U.S. can use military force in what it calls “its backyard,” why can’t Russia do the same within its own sphere? U.S. actions in Venezuela could justify Russian actions in Ukraine for many, especially in the Global South. This would further divide the U.S. from Europe and increase polarization within the U.S. itself.

    If the Trump administration also pursues its goal of occupying Greenland along with actions in Venezuela, the situation could become even better for Russia. This could create opportunities for better relations with the EU part of Europe, which is currently Russia’s main global rival.

    Overall, Russians see themselves as defenders of the old order. They believe the U.S.-led West is trying to change the established post-World War II order, and they view the war in Ukraine as a way to push back against these changes.