In a new escalation of rhetoric against the Kremlin's allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the United States to use its influence and intelligence capabilities to put pressure on Russia, proposing a qualitative operation aimed at overthrowing Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, similar to the scenario Washington followed in dealing with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Maduro's scenario as a model of pressure
In his remarks, Zelenskyy asserted that recent developments concerning Maduro's case and his transfer to the United States have unequivocally demonstrated that Washington possesses the necessary tools and the actual capacity to influence its international adversaries whenever the political will exists. The Ukrainian president emphasized the need for action, stating, "They must put pressure on Russia; they have the tools, and they know how to do it," adding that targeting Putin's powerful allies is the shortest path to ending the war.
Why Kadyrov specifically?
The Ukrainian president believes that ousting Kadyrov would not only be a blow to a political figure, but also a strategic shock to Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially making him "think twice" about the viability of continuing the war against Kyiv. This focus on Kadyrov stems from his sensitive position within the Russian political and military structure; he has ruled the Chechen Republic with an iron fist since 2007 and is considered one of Putin's most loyal allies, always describing himself as "Putin's foot soldier.".
The Chechen role in the Ukrainian war
Zelensky’s call cannot be separated from the field context of the war, as the Chechen forces known as the “Kadyrovets” have played a prominent role in Russian military operations inside Ukrainian territory since the outbreak of the invasion in early 2022. These forces have participated in major battles such as the siege of Mariupol and the battles of Donbas, making Kadyrov a key target in Kyiv’s media and political strategy.
The strategic dimensions of Kadyrov's absence
From a geopolitical perspective, Zelensky understands that the stability of Russia’s North Caucasus region depends heavily on Kadyrov’s continued presence and the financial and military support he receives from Moscow. Therefore, any successful attempt to neutralize him could create chaos or internal instability in Russia, forcing the Kremlin to divert its focus and resources from the Ukrainian front to maintaining internal security—a scenario that directly benefits Kyiv.
Zelensky had previously hinted sarcastically that Putin himself should meet a similar fate to the leaders pursued by American justice, saying: “If the United States is able to do this to dictators, it knows what it has to do,” in a clear reference to the need to expand the scope of American pressure to include the heads of the Russian regime and its close allies.
