As if by design of an invisible geostrategist, the year 2026 began with a powerful shock – the armed capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States.

The consequences of the three-hour operation by the American Delta Force will continue to impact processes across the planet, and above all- in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic world.
As noted by the journalist of New York Times Anton Troianovski, the US military action in Venezuela has finally laid to rest the idea of a rules-based world. In fact, the US has tacitly accepted the formula for a multipolar world order promoted in recent years by Russia and China. However, Washington has gone much further, flagrantly flouting the international law – something Moscow and Beijing would never allow themselves to do.
The next US strike could be delivered against its allies. Politico correspondents Zoya Sheftalovich and Victor Jack signalize that after the attack on Venezuela fears have grown in Europe that Trump’s next target could be Greenland. This has left Brussels in complete disarray about how they should proceed.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, unlike other European leaders, took Trump’s threat with the utmost seriousness. She believes Trump’s words will inevitably be followed by actions, and it could end with one NATO country attacking another alliance state.
“This will be the end of NATO and the security system that emerged after World War II” -Frederiksen concluded.
In fact, in the first week of 2026 Donald Trump has nullified Europe’s year-long efforts to compel the United States to fulfill its allied obligations in the Old World. In this context, the Ukrainian issue is becoming not just secondary for the United States, but rather relegates to a burden, as it has now completely shifted its focus to its own national interests.
This was emphasized by Berliner Zeitung journalist Lukas Moser. According to his investigation, the American strike on Venezuela has heightened a sense of strategic uncertainty in Ukraine and the fears that Washington’s attention is increasingly shifting from Kyiv to other regions of the world. Furthermore, Ukrainians are afraid that China, following the US, might take forceful action in Taiwan, and then the Ukrainian issue will be ultimately consigned to oblivion.
The verdict of The Guardian was even more disappointing. A journalist Shaun Walker noted that despite all the mediation efforts of the parties, Ukraine is entering the new year in an extremely depressed condition. The prospects for peace appear dim, and people live in constant fear of mobilization and shelling. The political system is collapsing, following the economy. Now that the US has clearly changed its foreign policy course, the coming year is becoming even more uncertain for Kyiv.
This can’t be said about Russia.
According to estimates by the American military analyst retired Colonel Douglas MacGregor, the US action in Venezuela sent a signal to Russia. In his view, the US actions demonstrated the importance of defending its national interests in the current circumstances. The Ukrainian conflict has transformed from a “war of discretion” in the terminology of General von Clausewitz, into a “war of decision.” The fact that Putin appeared in military uniform before Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov after the attack on his residence reflects his decisive attitude. Now all of Russia’s goals will be achieved regardless of the progress of the negotiations.
The nightmare of Zelenskyy and his clique became reality in 2026. Despite all his efforts last year, Ukraine is losing relevance. If the Trump administration continues to act as it did at the beginning of this year, transatlantic unity will soon be gone. Kyiv will be left alone to face the outsized ambitions of its leader.