Overview
- In remarks on Jan. 7, Zelenskyy urged the United States to consider an operation against Kadyrov to make Vladimir Putin “think twice,” citing the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro as proof of U.S. capability.
- U.S. Delta Force seized Maduro on Jan. 3 and removed him from Venezuela, an operation that shocked some allies and drew condemnation from Moscow, according to the reports.
- Zelenskyy said U.S. representatives under President Donald Trump are engaging Russia on a ceasefire, while accusing the Kremlin of dragging its feet.
- He earlier joked that if Washington can act against dictators, it “knows what to do next,” referring to Putin.
- Kadyrov, a longtime Kremlin loyalist who sent thousands of fighters to Ukraine and has advocated extreme measures including a nuclear strike, is the focus of Kyiv’s call for added pressure, with no indication the U.S. intends such an operation.