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Zelenskyy Says US Could Target Kadyrov to Pressure Putin, Citing Maduro Operation
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States to increase pressure on Russia, citing the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as an example of what Washington is capable of when it prioritizes action.
Speaking to journalists on January 7, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine remains committed to achieving peace through diplomacy but emphasized that Western partners—especially the US—must act with greater urgency and decisiveness.
“What do we need if there’s no peace deal, or not yet? Our partners know everything. They must move faster. As if the war is happening in their own countries,” Zelenskyy said. He acknowledged that the American side is currently active and “productive” on the diplomatic track, but argued that these efforts have not reached their full potential.
According to him, the US has the necessary tools to apply more pressure on Russia. “They have the tools. And when they really want to, they can find the way. The main thing is for Ukraine to remain a priority for them,” he said.
Zelenskyy pointed to the January 3 US military operation in Caracas, during which American forces reportedly captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The operation followed a series of explosions in the Venezuelan capital, power outages in parts of the city, and a declaration of a state of emergency by the Venezuelan government.
President Donald Trump later confirmed that Maduro and his spouse had been taken out of the country. On January 5, Maduro was brought to New York to face federal charges related to narcotics trafficking and arms violations, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Using the incident as a reference point, Zelenskyy suggested a similar action could be taken against Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
“They conducted an operation. The world saw the result. It was done quickly. Let them carry out a similar operation against Kadyrov, that killer. Maybe then Putin will take notice and reconsider,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that while Ukraine works to advance diplomatic solutions, it also continues to strengthen its military capabilities. In his words, Ukraine must remain strong in parallel to peace efforts. “Everyone understands what is needed—air defense, a strong army, money for drone production, protection of the skies.”
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is seeking a US Congress-approved security pact modeled on NATO’s Article 5 to deter future Russian aggression, describing it as a compromise in the absence of full NATO membership.
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