by Stephen Lendman, Stephen Lendman:

Will Putin stop being Mr. nice guy in dealings with the US? Will he draw a red line not to be crossed by its hardliners in Venezuela?

Will he eschew worthless diplomacy for toughness in dealing with the Trump regime’s rage for replacing Bolivarian social democracy with fascist puppet rule it controls?

Will he at long last step up to the plate and do the right thing after fiddling while Rome burns for so long, substituting action for worthless rhetoric? Will he accept reality that diplomacy with the US achieves nothing?

If not now, when? Will he act to prevent the US from gaining another imperial trophy, saving Bolivarian social democracy, or make postmortem excuses about always seeking diplomatic resolution of differences – knowing it never works with Washington?

At a joint meeting with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in Moscow, Russia’s upper house Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said the following:

“We are very afraid that the United States may stage any provocations to provoke bloodshed and find a reason and pretext for intervention in Venezuela. But we will do our utmost to prevent this,” adding:

“…Russia feels sympathy with what is happening in Venezuela and solidarity with the people of Venezuela and supports the legitimate government in its fight for sovereignty and the country’s independence” – strongly stressing Moscow’s opposition to meddling in the internal affairs by any nation against others.

“We are absolutely sure that the crisis, which was artificially created by the US in Venezuela, can be solved only by peaceful means and only in the framework of the inclusive dialogue of all political forces and the Venezuela people have the right to decide on its present and its future.”

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying the nation’s ruling authorities reject “the use of unilateral measures announced by the US government against Venezuela’s military in the framework of Washington’s failed strategy to facilitate the overthrow of the constitutional government and constitutional President Nicolas Maduro,” adding:

“The US administration thus confirms its aim to harm patriots in the military who act in support of Venezuela’s constitution, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Foreign Ministry called on the international community “to ensure compliance with the United Nations Charter with its fundamental principles and goals in order to stop an imperialistic aggression against Venezuela’s sovereign people.”

Remarks like the above fall on deaf ears in Washington and in capitals of its imperial partners – why tough action from Russia, not rhetoric, is needed to confront the Trump regime, dispensing with worthless diplomatic outreach accomplishing nothing.

Interviewed Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, neocon hardliner John Bolton said the following:

“We are trying to rally support for the peaceful transition of power (sic) (to usurper in waiting) Guaido…I’d like to see as broad a coalition (sic) as we can put together to replace Maduro. That’s what we are trying to do.”

CNN gave Bolton a platform to promote the Trump regime’s coup attempt, largely failing to hold his feet to the fire, challenging the unlawful action, flagrantly violating the UN Charter, other international law, and the US Constitution.

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