Russia And Venezuela VP Drop Hints Of Something Big As Trump Says Land Strikes Could Start 'Soon'

[Passages]

Published on Nov 29, 2025
05:02 pm IST

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez warns of “serious threats of military aggression” from the United States, as tensions escalate in the Caribbean. In a high-level meeting with Russia, she thanked Moscow for its solidarity and accused Washington of pressuring countries to restrict Venezuela’s air access. Rodríguez highlighted the growing strategic partnership with Russia, emphasising expanded air connectivity, tourism and economic cooperation. With the US increasing its military presence in the region since September, critics warn of possible violations of international law. Caracas insists it will not be isolated and calls for respect for sovereignty.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/russia-and-venezuela-vp-drop-hints-of-something-big-as-trump-says-land-strikes-could-start-soon-101764415808772.html


Christopher Miller@ChristopherJM
As I reported yesterday, Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and now head of the delegation negotiating for Kyiv, is on his way to the US to meet Trump’s team for more talks.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Politics rather muddled nowadays

Russia still supporting a country called commie by our right wingers. But Russia is private enterprise now, isn't it? Oligarchs and all that? The puppetmasters pull the financial strings for their own benefit, and apply labels as needed.

[Passages]

2. Times have changed. Putin is more ruthless and unrelenting, and certainly more paranoid since Covid shutdown.

How Putin Conquered Russia's Oligarchy
March 29, 2022

Greg Rosalsky

Note: This is Part Two of a two-part Planet Money newsletter series on the Russian oligarchs. You can read Part One here and subscribe to the newsletter here.

In the summer of 2000, 21 of the richest men in Russia exited their bulletproof limousines and entered the Kremlin for a historic meeting. In the previous decade, these men had risen seemingly out of nowhere, amassing spectacular fortunes as the country around them descended into chaos. Through shady deals, outright corruption, and even murder, these rapacious "oligarchs" — as Russians had come to derisively call them — had seized control of much of Russia's economy, and, increasingly, its fledgling democracy. But now, their nation's newly elected president, Vladimir Putin, wanted to tell them, face to face, who was really in charge.
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2022/03/29/1088886554/how-putin-conquered-russias-oligarchy

[tanyev]

3. Donny really, really wants a war so he can get that Nobel Peace Prize.