Trump held no ideological commitment to Ukraine, empowering its skeptics led by the vice president, JD Vance. A “de facto anti-Ukraine policy” swept through the Pentagon, where specialists were afraid to utter the word “Ukraine.” In 10 parts, this is how the two countries arrived at a breaking point.

The news conference is taking place just hours before Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff meets with senior officials from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to discuss the next phase of the Republican president’s Gaza ceasefire plan, progress on which has moved slowly since it was announced in October.

The ministry condemned the U.S. attack on Venezuela "as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity." It called on the UN Security Council to "act immediately to halt the unlawful aggression" and hold those responsible accountable.

It is hard to see how this can be anything other than a ‘use of force’ under article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.

Secretary Marco Rubio’s year-end appearance comes amid key meetings on Gaza and Russia-Ukraine in Miami on Friday and Saturday after a tumultuous year in U.S. foreign policy.

Ukrainian officials reaffirm support for Venezuelans' democratic rights in light of Maduro's detention, highlighting the importance of international law.

An ideal scenario for Russia would be for the US to get bogged down in Venezuela for years. But if Maduro falls fast, it is OK, too. When the dust settles, the outcome might look like a transaction – a US-friendly Venezuela in exchange for the war in Ukraine ending on Russian terms.

We’re going to be running it,” Trump said of Venezuela from his private club in Florida. And, he hinted, Venezuela might just be his opening gambit. Read more: How the World Is Reacting to the U.S. Capture of Nicolas Maduro Trump,