Reaction from Europe to America's operation to abduct Maduro and his wife: Tensions must be de-escalated

The US airstrike carried out in the South American country of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, was confirmed by US President Donald Trump, who verified the military strikes and the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and take him out of thefollowing theannouncement, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen shared a message that they stand with the people of Venezuela. On social media platforms, in her statement, Von der Leyen said, "We are monitoring the situation in Venezuela very closclosely. We stand with the people of Venezuela. We support a peacefulanddemocratic transition. Anysolution mustrespect international law and the UN Charter," she said.

Leyen stated, "Together with the EU High Representative forForeign Affairs andSecurity PolicyKaja Kallas,we are working in coordination with EU member states to ensure that EU citizensin the country can rely on our full supportand be assuredof our commitment."we are working"he said.

EU Council President Costa: "I am followingwith great concern"the situation.

EU Council President Antonio Costa also stated that he is following the situation in Venezuela withgreat concernand is monitoring it closely.announced. In a statement on social media, Costa said, "The European Union calls for the de-escalation and full respect for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law." calling for a solution within the framework of. The EU remains committed to peace in Venezuelaajust, democratic, and inclusive solution. The EU will continue to support aEuropean citizens in the countrysafety must be ensuredWe support the effortsbeing ledby High Representative Kaja Kallasin coordination with member states," she wrote.

Call for restraint from High Representative KallasThe European Union's (EU) most

senior high-level diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that the situation is being closely monitored and called for restraint . Kallas, in a statement released via social media , said, "US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US embassy in CaracasI have spoken with our ambassador.The EUhas repeatedly stated that Mr.Maduro lacks legitimacy and has advocated for a peacefultransition.In all circumstances,respect forthe principles of international law and the UN Charter must be upheld.must be shown. We call forrestraint. For us,the highest priority is the safetyof EU citizensin thecountry," she said.

The UK announced that it was in noway involved in the attackandclarified

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that his country had nopart in the attackany involvement whatsoever, heannounced. Stating that he had not held adiscussion with US President Trump regarding the US attack on Venezuela, Starmer responded to journalists' manyquestions British politiciansboth sidescondemning these attacks, when asked whether they condemn themin front of him, he replied, "first, we need to clarify the factsand I want to speak with Trump about the rapidly developing situation"to discussit. Prime Minister Starmer also added that he wants to ensure the safety of the approximately 500 British citizenswho arein Venezuela to be surestated that they are working together with their embassies inVenezuela.

Italian Foreign Minister Tajani: "We continue to monitor closely"

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, in a statement shared viasocialmedia,said, "We are closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela," especially in terms of the security of the Italianpublic,we arecloselymonitoring the situation in coordination with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloniandcontinue to follow itI am maintaining," he said.

According to reports in the Italian press,Tajani stated that regarding the attacks in Venezuela,where nearly 150,000 Italian citizens live, "Here there aremany Italians, but the situation for them is currentlycalm.Bno one has applied to the embassyor the consulate," they stated.

The Italian Prime Minister's Office also announced that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela and is inconstant contactwith Foreign Minister Tajanito receive informationregarding the citizens.

From Spain, on the de-escalation ofde-escalation calls

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also shared a statement on the social media platform X in which heexpressedconcernThe statement read, "The Spanish Government is closely monitoring the developments in Venezuela in a comprehensive manner. Our embassy and consulates are operational. We call for the deescalation of tensions and responsible behavior"we call for. Respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter mustbe shown," he said.

Belgium announced that the situation is being monitoredin coordinationwith Europeanpartners.Thestatement read.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, stated that his country is closelymonitoring the situation in Venezuela in coordinationwith its Europeanpartners.announced. In a social media post, Prevot stated, "Our Embassy in Bogota, which is responsible for Venezuela,and ourunits in Brusselshave been fully mobilized.The situation is being closely monitoredin coordinationwith our European partners."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sibiha: "The people of Venezuela must have the opportunity for a normal life"

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, in a statement shared on social media,stated,"Ukraine has consistently defended the right to live freely,away from international dictatorship,oppression, and human rights violations. The Maduro regimehas violated all of these principles in every respect. Ukraine condemns the fraudulent electionsand the crackdown on protesters" following the violence, theworldalong with dozens of countries in differentregions, has not recognized the legitimacy of Maduro. The people of Venezuela deserve the opportunity to have a normal life, security, prosperity, and human dignity. In accordance with the principles of international law, developments that prioritizedemocracy, human rights, and the interests of Venezuelans must bewe are in favor of negotiations,' they stated.

Sweden: 'All countries have theresponsibility to respectinternational law'they added.

Sweden's MForeign Minister Maria Stenergard, while previously stating that her countrydoes not recognize the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro, added, "All countries have a responsibility to respectinternational law andact accordingly.Respect for international law is a long-term security policy for Swedenand is essential for global stability."is intheir interest," he stated.

Switzerland called forthede-escalation oftensions.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for the deescalation of tensions and internatrespect for the law wascalled for. In thestatement, "Switzerland, the de-escalation of tensions, restraint, and the prohibition of the use of forceand territorial integrity,including respectfor internationallaw and orderis calling for. The situation on the ground isembassyis being closely monitored by us," the statement read.

Denmark called for the de-escalation of tensions and for dialogue.

In a statement issued by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was noted that Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen is closely monitoring the dramatic developments in Venezuela. Rasmussen stated, "Tensions must be deescalated and a return to dialogue is necessary. Internationalrespect for the law must beshown," he said.

Kosovo PresidentVjosa Osmani, in herstatement, said, "Kosovo stands firmly with Donald Trump and the US in supporting the steps taken againstVenezuela's narco-terrorregime. President Trump has stood with the people of Venezuela and, by standing against Maduro's narco-state, has made America and the wprotectingthe rest of the world from cartels and organizedcrime"he said.

The Czech Republic called fordiplomaticnegotiationswith the participation of the Venezuelan opposition.

The Czech RepublicMinistry of Foreign Affairs stated in anannouncement, "We believe it is important that the situation be calmed and that diplomatic negotiations be initiatedwith the participation of the Venezuelan opposition. Our main priorityis, The safety of Czech citizens and the provision of consular assistance remain our priority," the statement said.