Putin Warns World Is More Dangerous but Avoids Venezuela and Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on January 15 that the global security situation is becoming more dangerous, citing rising tensions and unresolved conflicts, while refraining from public comment on political upheaval in Venezuela and unrest in Iran.

Speaking at a Kremlin ceremony for newly accredited foreign ambassadors, Putin said the international order is under strain as existing conflicts deepen and new ones emerge.

Without naming specific countries, he criticised Western powers that, in his words, impose their will on others, interfere in domestic affairs, and rely on pressure rather than dialogue. He presented Russia as a supporter of a multipolar world order and called for respect for sovereignty.

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Putin urged renewed discussion on Russia’s proposals for a revised European security framework, arguing that current arrangements fail to guarantee stability. He said security should be indivisible and based on equal consideration of all states’ interests.

The speech marked Putin’s first major foreign policy statement of the year. However, he made no reference to recent developments in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro was removed and detained following a U.S.-led operation earlier this month. The episode has triggered debate over international law and intervention, but Moscow has so far avoided public positioning on the issue.

Putin was also silent on the situation in Iran, where anti-government protests and clashes with security forces have intensified amid economic pressure and political dissatisfaction. Russia and Iran maintain close strategic ties, including cooperation in energy and defence, making Moscow’s lack of public comment notable.

The Russian leader did refer indirectly to the Ukraine war, describing it as the most serious conflict in Europe since World War Two. He said the fighting has exposed deep divisions between Russia and Western countries and reinforced the need for new security arrangements.

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Putin’s remarks reflected Moscow’s broader diplomatic stance: highlighting global instability and Western influence while limiting public statements on sensitive developments involving partners and regions outside Europe.