ISTANBUL

Russia on Saturday urged the US to release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were captured after a military operation, calling for dialogue to resolve disputes.

The Foreign Ministry said it was acting “in light of confirmed reports” that Maduro and his wife are in the US, urging American leadership to “reconsider this position” and to release the “legally elected president of a sovereign country and his wife.”

Russia also stressed the need to create conditions for resolving existing problems between the US and Venezuela through dialogue.

In separate statements, Moscow condemned US strikes on Venezuela as “deeply concerning and condemnable,” saying the actions amounted to armed aggression and violated international law.

The ministry also backed calls for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, warning against further escalation and reiterating that Latin America must remain a zone of peace.

US President Donald Trump earlier said Washington carried out a “large scale strike” against Venezuela and that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country.

Trump said the operation was conducted “in conjunction with US law enforcement.”

He later told Fox News that Washington could play a direct role in shaping Venezuela’s future following Maduro’s removal.

The US, which has accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, also indicted him and his wife on multiple criminal charges, including narco-terrorism. Venezuela’s government has denied the accusations.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Caracas was unaware of Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded proof that he was alive.