By John Q. Hosedrinker 
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The core concept here is a claim, made by a former advisor to the Trump administration, about Russia’s willingness to barter. The assertion is that Russia, at some point, suggested a deal: the United States gets Venezuela, and in exchange, Russia gets Ukraine. Let’s unpack this and see if it makes sense, or if it’s just another bizarre twist in the already complicated web of global politics.
The immediate reaction is likely skepticism. The idea of swapping sovereign nations like they’re baseball cards is, frankly, insulting to the people living in those countries. Neither Ukraine nor Venezuela, of course, belong to the United States or Russia to be traded like assets. So, right off the bat, the moral and ethical implications of such a proposal are glaring. Who gets to decide the fate of these nations? Certainly not the people who live there, if this alleged deal had ever been seriously considered.
Then, there’s the question of practicality. Could Russia, even if it wanted to, simply “hand over” Venezuela to the US? The claim, if true, suggests Russia had a level of influence over Venezuela that is debatable. Similarly, the ability of Russia to “take” Ukraine, even if the US were to withdraw its support, is another question entirely. As events unfold, Russia’s military struggles in Ukraine have been well documented, suggesting they lack the decisive power necessary to take control.
The very premise of this supposed deal feels weak and unsupported. Russia is bogged down in a costly war of attrition, with no guarantee of success. Russia’s capacity to dictate terms in the Western hemisphere is very questionable, and in the current climate, it seems almost laughable. The US, with its vast economic and military power, is generally considered to be the dominant force in that region.
Let’s consider the mechanics of a deal like this. Would it be a formal agreement, or just some off-the-record diplomatic signaling? The sources indicate that there was never any formal treaty or agreement. It sounds more like hints in media and diplomatic signaling, which certainly weakens the validity of the whole proposition.
Thinking about this from a strategic point of view, what would the US gain from acquiring Venezuela? Potentially, access to its oil reserves. But, in the current geopolitical situation, it’s not at all clear that it would lead to a strategic advantage for the US.
But, back to the core point. Even if the US were to “get” Venezuela through some means, would Russia even be able to follow through with its end of the deal and take Ukraine? The war in Ukraine has already gone on for a long time, and is proving to be a huge challenge for Russia, who appears to have no end game in sight. This further undermines the credibility of the entire scenario.
This whole situation brings up some interesting questions about the players involved. It also makes you wonder what kind of deals are being discussed behind the scenes that the general public doesn’t know about. There’s a certain feeling of a power play. It highlights, once again, the ruthlessness and cynicism that can sometimes characterize international relations.
And finally, if this offer was ever seriously on the table, it highlights the arrogance of nations thinking they can just trade away other countries’ futures. Neither Ukraine nor Venezuela should have their fates decided by anyone but themselves. It’s a fundamental principle of international law and self-determination, and the very concept of such a deal is deeply troubling.