Putin's fate: Will he follow Maduro's path? here's what Trump says

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a secret operation by the US military has caused a stir around the world. Following this action, speculation was rife as to whether the US might take similar strict action against Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, US President Donald Trump put an end to all these speculations on Friday. Trump clearly stated that there is no need for a 'surgical strike' or military operation like the one against Maduro against Putin.

'We will have good relations with Putin'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently made a veiled comment, saying that if dictators can be treated like this (like Maduro's arrest), then the US knows what to do next. Zelensky was clearly referring to Putin, who also has an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against him. Responding to Zelensky's statement, Trump said he did not believe such action would be necessary against Putin. He stressed that the US will continue to have very good relations with Russia and Putin, as it always has.

Trump disappointed by Ukraine war's failure to end

Even though Trump has ruled out military action against Putin, he has expressed deep displeasure over the prolonged Ukraine war. In a meeting with oil and gas sector officials, Trump expressed his frustration, saying that he has resolved eight wars during his tenure. He had hoped that the Ukraine-Russia war would also be resolved easily, but he is very disappointed that it is still ongoing. Referring to the horrors of the war, Trump revealed that in the last month alone, 31,000 people have been killed in this war, most of whom were Russian soldiers.

Eye on Venezuelan oil and protests in Caracas

On the other hand, after Maduro's arrest, Trump has linked Venezuela's future to its vast oil reserves. He has invited American energy companies to invest there, assuring them of security. Trump claims that companies are ready to invest up to $100 billion there, and that the proceeds will be used for American priorities. However, anger has erupted in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, against this "victory" for the US. People are taking to the streets to protest, alleging that the US wants to plunder their resources. 70-year-old civil activist Josefina Castro expressed her anger, saying that after all this, Venezuela should not give Trump even a drop of oil.