Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) meeting then Venenzuelan leader Nicolas Maduro at the Kremlin on May 7, 2025.PHOTO: REUTERS

Why Putin went quiet when challenged by Trump over Venezuela

11 Jan 2026, 03:33 · The Straits Times

BERLIN – Sitting on a gilded chair in the green drawing room of the Grand Kremlin Palace, Nicolas Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, turned to Russian President Vladimir Putin and spoke of their bright future together.

“We will see relations flourish between the great Russia, today a leading power of humankind, and Venezuela,” Maduro proclaimed at the meeting in May 2025.