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January 4, 2026

Institute for the Study of War: Russian response still muted to US intervention in Venezuela

Institute for the Study of War

Russian officials continue to respond to the US military operation in Venezuela, but the response from senior Kremlin decisionmakers remains relatively muted. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Belarusian Foreign Minister Mikhail Ryzhenkov discussed the US operation in Venezuela during a phone call on January 3 and issued a joint, boilerplate condemnation of US actions and called for the United States to return Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to Venezuela.[1] Russian Security Council Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev heavily criticized the US military operation in a comment to Kremlin newswire TASS, accusing US President Donald Trump of violating international laws and expressing Russia’s support for Maduro.[2] Medvedev also used the US operation to seize Maduro in order to threaten German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.[3] Russian State Duma deputies also criticized the US operation, claiming that the United States rejects the sovereignty of states in the Western Hemisphere and aims to establish control over Venezuelan oil reserves.[4] The Kremlin’s response to the US operation in Venezuela has been boilerplate thus far.[5] The Kremlin will likely have to balance its responses between maintaining its credibility as a partner to other states with its continued efforts to cater to the Trump administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Ukrainian State Border Guard Service First Deputy Head Major General Valeriy Vavrynyuk as acting head of the State Border Guard Service on January 4.[6]

Key Takeaways

  1. Russian officials continue to respond to the US military operation in Venezuela, but the response from senior Kremlin decisionmakers remains relatively muted.
  2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Ukrainian State Border Guard Service First Deputy Head Major General Valeriy Vavrynyuk as acting head of the State Border Guard Service on January 4.
  3. Ukrainian forces advanced near Pokrovsk. Russian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.