On January 15, Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who recently met with the Pope in Rome. Trump stated that Machado would find it difficult to lead Venezuela without significant public support and that holding elections is necessary, since Maduro allegedly falsified previous votes. Currently, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez acts as interim president in Venezuela and is also planning a trip to Washington. NH reports that Machado holds the Nobel Peace Prize and has even offered to give it to Trump for his efforts in challenging Maduro's regime.
In relation to Greenland, a bill has been introduced in the US Congress to grant the island 51st-state status. The bill's sponsors note that the final decision lies with Congress, though the measure could speed up the process. Greenland remains a part of Denmark and is a NATO and EU member, while the local government asserts its commitment to strengthening Arctic defense amid growing American interest. The White House has already published a photo of Trump with a map of Greenland. Political analysts suggest a realistic scenario would involve a major cooperation agreement between Greenland and the US.
One argument is the absence of Russian and Chinese military assets near Greenland, though submarines are present elsewhere in the Arctic, underlining the region's strategic importance. Concerning Iran, reports indicate it has supplied Russia with a significant number of ballistic missiles, though official confirmation is lacking. The potential for increased sanctions and diplomatic pressure is also discussed, especially if developments in Iran affect Russia’s geopolitical standing.
Overall, developments in Venezuela, the Greenland status debate, and Iran-Russia military ties highlight the complexity and interconnectedness of global politics. Ukrainian experts emphasize the importance of these dynamics for ending the war on favorable terms for Ukraine and for long-term national security.
