Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United States to consider an operation to remove Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, citing a recent U.S. action that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as precedent. Zelensky said ousting Kadyrov could make Vladimir Putin "think twice" about his campaign in Ukraine. Kadyrov dismissed the remarks as humiliating in a Telegram post. Experts warn any foreign operation would carry major legal and geopolitical risks.
Zelensky Urges U.S. To Remove Chechen Leader Kadyrov, Citing U.S. Operation Against Maduro
Kadyrov is a staunch supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine (Alexander NEMENOV)(Alexander NEMENOV/POOL/AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that the United States should pressure Russia by "carrying out some sort of operation" to remove Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov from power, likening such an action to a recent U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
What Zelensky Said
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky argued the reported U.S. move against Maduro demonstrated Washington's capacity to influence Moscow when it chooses to do so. He suggested that deposing Kadyrov could make Russian President Vladimir Putin "think twice" about his ongoing offensive in Ukraine.
"They need to put pressure on Russia. They have the tools, they know how. And when they really want to, they can find them," Zelensky said. "Here's an example with Maduro. They carried out an operation... Everyone can see the result, the whole world can see. They did it promptly. Let them carry out some sort of operation with, what's his name — Kadyrov."
Kadyrov's Response
Ramzan Kadyrov replied on Telegram, accusing Zelensky of making a "cowardly" suggestion. "Save face and don't humiliate yourself. If you had a shred of masculinity in you, you would understand how humiliating your words and requests sound," he wrote, addressing the Ukrainian president directly.
Background And Wider Context
U.S. special forces reportedly captured Maduro and his wife in Caracas last Saturday, a development that stunned some Washington allies and drew condemnation from Moscow. The reported operation — and Zelensky's comments — have intensified tensions between Kyiv, Washington and Moscow.
Kadyrov has governed the predominantly Muslim republic of Chechnya since 2007 and is one of President Putin's most vocal supporters. He has deployed thousands of fighters to Ukraine and has on occasion advocated extreme measures, including floating the idea of a nuclear strike.
Ukraine, which has been resisting a full-scale Russian invasion for nearly four years, has repeatedly urged international partners, including the United States, to apply stronger pressure on the Kremlin. Zelensky's remarks reflect long-standing frustration in Kyiv that more decisive action is needed to change Moscow's calculations.
Legal and Geopolitical Risks
Analysts caution that any foreign operation to remove a foreign leader would carry significant legal, diplomatic and military risks and could dramatically escalate tensions between nuclear-armed states. Such a course would likely provoke strong reactions from Russia and complicate international relations.
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