Archive · 10 Jan 2026
USSR warns US on Libya in 1986
A long time ago, in 1986, the Soviet Union, which was a powerful country at that time, warned the United States to be careful about its actions against Libya.
The Soviet Union wanted the US to show more restraint and also asked them to control their ally, Israel.
Around the same time, the leader of Libya, Col Muammar Gaddafi, met with some important people from Western Europe.
He said that the people who attacked airports in Rome and Vienna were crazy and promised to fight against terrorism.
He also mentioned that he was trying to stop Palestinians from attacking places outside of Israel and the territories Israel occupied.
The Soviet Union warned the US about the dangerous consequences of its actions against Libya in 1986.
The Soviet Union expected the US to show restraint and control its ally, Israel.
Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi condemned the attackers of Rome and Vienna airports as 'completely mad'.
Gaddafi pledged to fight terrorism and discourage Palestinians from attacking targets outside Israel and occupied territories.
Gaddafi made these statements during a rare meeting with West European diplomats.
- Who
- Soviet Union, United States, Libya, Col Muammar Gaddafi
- What
- Soviet warning to the US about actions against Libya and expectation of restraint
- When
- January 10, 1986
- Where
- Soviet Union, United States, Libya
- Why
- To prevent dangerous consequences and promote restraint in actions against Libya
- Date
- January 10, 1986
- Countries Involved
- Soviet Union, United States, Libya
- Libyan Leader
- Col Muammar Gaddafi
- Airport Attacks
- Rome and Vienna
- Soviet Expectation
- US restraint and holding back Israel