international_relations

Russian Foreign Ministry: We Rely on Washington Taking a Pragmatic Stance Toward Venezuela

December 18, 2025 shorouknews.com
Russian Foreign Ministry: We Rely on Washington Taking a Pragmatic Stance Toward Venezuela

Russia relies on a pragmatic U.S. stance toward Venezuela to avoid serious regional consequences.

SUMMARY

Alexander Shchetinin from the Russian Foreign Ministry expresses Russia's hope that the United States will take a pragmatic stance toward Venezuela to avoid serious consequences in the region, following the U.S. administration's designation of Venezuelan authorities as a terrorist organization and Trump's order to block oil tanker passage.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Russia relies on a pragmatic U.S. stance toward Venezuela.
  • The U.S. administration classified Venezuelan authorities as a terrorist organization.
  • Trump ordered blocking of oil tankers to and from Venezuela.
  • Trump may declare war on Venezuela according to an American journalist.

CORE SUBJECT

U.S. stance toward Venezuela

Alexander Shchetinin, Director of the Latin America Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Russia is relying on the United States to adopt a pragmatic stance toward Venezuela.

The diplomat said in an interview with the Russian news agency TASS on Wednesday: "We rely on the pragmatic stance prevailing in the actions of the U.S. administration, which was always characteristic of the Trump administration."

He continued: "This pragmatic stance will help avoid situations that could lead to very serious consequences for the region and will prevent mistakes that would have to be corrected later. We are very hopeful that the stance will be like this."

He added: "We rely on sound thinking and will take appropriate steps based on that."

This came in response to the U.S. administration's announcement classifying the Venezuelan authorities as a "terrorist organization."

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he ordered the blocking of all oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.

In this context, American journalist Tucker Carlson cited a U.S. legislator saying that Trump might declare war on Venezuela on Wednesday evening U.S. time.

KEYWORDS

Russia United States Venezuela pragmatic stance Trump terrorist designation oil tankers

MENTIONED ENTITIES 6

Alexander Shchetinin

👤 Person_Male

Director of the Latin America Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry

🏛️ Organization

Foreign Ministry of Russia

United States

📍 Location_Country

United States of America

Venezuela

📍 Location_Country

Country of Venezuela

Donald Trump

👤 Person_Male

Former U.S. President

Tucker Carlson

👤 Person_Male

American journalist

NOTABLE QUOTES 3

"We rely on the pragmatic stance prevailing in the actions of the U.S. administration, which was always characteristic of the Trump administration."

— Alexander Shchetinin

Context: Interview with Russian news agency TASS

"This pragmatic stance will help avoid situations that could lead to very serious consequences for the region and will prevent mistakes that would have to be corrected later. We are very hopeful that the stance will be like this."

— Alexander Shchetinin

Context: Interview with Russian news agency TASS

"We rely on sound thinking and will take appropriate steps based on that."

— Alexander Shchetinin

Context: Interview with Russian news agency TASS

KEY DECISIONS 2

Classification of Venezuelan authorities as a terrorist organization by the U.S. administration

Decision Maker: U.S. administration
Impact Areas:
Venezuela region

Order by U.S. President Donald Trump to block all oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela

Decision Maker: Donald Trump
Impact Areas:
Venezuela oil