Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has characterized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s interventions in Venezuela as unlawful yet strategically consistent with American foreign policy objectives. In statements reported by Tass news agency on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Medvedev asserted that while Trump’s actions violated international norms, they demonstrated a coherent approach to advancing national interests.
Medvedev elaborated that the United States has historically treated Latin America as its strategic ‘backyard,’ with Trump’s administration particularly focused on securing control over Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves. ‘Uncle Sam’s primary motivation remains fundamentally straightforward—the acquisition of others’ resources,’ Medvedev stated, employing critical rhetoric to underscore his perspective.
The Russian official further contended that similar interventions against a more militarily capable nation would likely be interpreted as acts of aggression. His comments reflect Moscow’s ongoing diplomatic friction with Washington regarding interventionist policies in regions with significant natural resources.
This analysis emerges amid continued geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western powers, highlighting contrasting interpretations of international law and national interest defense. Medvedev’s position as both former Russian president and current security council official lends institutional weight to these remarks, which align with Russia’s broader criticism of American foreign policy in resource-rich regions.