No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West meddling in and destabilising countries around the world.

The western leaders did not welcome "the beginning of a bloody civil war". There are enormous differences between crisis situations in Kosovo and Venezuela.

Food shortages, poverty and high inflation, along with a strong political element, have driven to protests in Venezuela. There is no discussion in Russian state controlled media about the economic failures of the Maduro regime.

In the statement on behalf of the EU on situation in Venezuela the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, called for "for the urgent holding of free, transparent and credible presidential elections". "The presidential elections last May in Venezuela were neither free, fair, nor credible, lacking democratic legitimacy", added Mogherini, emphasising that "the EU stands with the Venezuelan people in this critical hour".

French President Emmanuel Macron called the 2018 election of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro “illegitimate” and said that Europe supports the restoration of democracy, and "welcomes the courage of the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who march for their freedom".