Zelensky Urges U.S. to Remove Kadyrov Like Maduro to Pressure Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested on Wednesday that the United States should consider exerting pressure on Russia by executing a similar operation to remove Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov from power, akin to its actions regarding Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky noted that the removal of Maduro demonstrated Washington’s capacity to impact Moscow’s decisions if it so desired. He posited that eliminating Kadyrov could prompt Russian President Vladimir Putin to reconsider his ongoing military actions in Ukraine.

Last Saturday, U.S. special forces carried out a bold operation, seizing Maduro and his wife from Caracas, an event that shocked Washington’s allies and elicited strong disapproval from Moscow, Venezuela’s ally.

Since 2007, Kadyrov has been in charge of Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim republic in Russia, and is known as one of Putin’s staunchest allies, having dispatched thousands of troops to support Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine.

«They must apply pressure on Russia. They possess the necessary tools and know how to utilize them. When they genuinely aim to achieve something, they can make it happen,» Zelensky remarked regarding the United States.

«Take the case of Maduro. They executed an operation… The results are visible to everyone; the whole world is aware. They acted swiftly. They should conduct a similar operation with—what’s his name—Kadyrov,» he added.

Shortly after the operation against Maduro, Zelensky humorously suggested that Putin himself should be a target.

«If they can do that with dictators, then the United States knows what steps to take next,» he said, sharing a laugh during a press conference in Kyiv over the weekend.

Ukraine, which has been enduring a comprehensive Russian invasion for nearly four years, has frequently expressed that its allies, including the United States, have not applied sufficient pressure on the Kremlin to conclude the conflict.

Kadyrov, who has maintained a tyrannical grip over Chechnya for almost twenty years, has consistently urged Moscow to adopt the most radical measures in Ukraine, even suggesting the possibility of a nuclear strike.