A US military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sent what is described as a stark warning signal to Ukraine. This conclusion is drawn in an article published by the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung (BZ).

According to the publication, a member of the Ukrainian armed forces, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that recent events had delivered a far more serious message than any setbacks in peace talks over recent days and weeks, as well as ongoing difficulties on the front lines.

The authors note that the operation has fueled genuine concern among many Ukrainians. There is growing fear that Washington’s successful actions in Venezuela could prompt the White House to redirect its focus toward Latin America, potentially eroding US interest in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

At the same time, Berliner Zeitung cautions against viewing the situation too narrowly. The paper argues that such assessments overlook the role of Donald Trump, emphasizing that the US president consistently weighs the costs and benefits of power when making strategic decisions.

The background to these concerns dates back to January 3, when US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out a large-scale operation against Venezuela. During the operation, President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Silia Flores, were detained and transported to the United States.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded by expressing solidarity with the people of Venezuela. Officials in Moscow said they were deeply concerned by reports of the forced removal of Maduro and his wife as part of what they described as aggressive US actions. Russian diplomats called for their immediate release and urged all sides to avoid further escalation around Venezuela.