Putin Holds Talks with Belarus and Central Asian Allies Following Wagner Mutiny
In a significant diplomatic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in separate discussions on Saturday with his Belarusian counterpart, President Alexander Lukashenko, as well as the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This marked Putin's first international phone call since the occurrence of a mutiny led by Wagner mercenaries within Russia.
According to reports from Belarusian state media, President Putin initiated the phone conversation with President Lukashenko, during which he shared details about the ongoing situation in Russia. Lukashenko, who has remained a steadfast ally of Putin and granted Russian forces access to Belarusian territory for their military operation in Ukraine, received the update from his Russian counterpart.
Shortly after, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin also engaged in talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, revealed that the Russian president provided both leaders with comprehensive information regarding the internal developments transpiring within Russia.
In a notable interaction, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan expressed his view that the events unfolding in Russia constituted an "internal affair." Putin expressed gratitude to Tokayev for his understanding and support in dealing with the situation.
Given the strained relations between Putin and many international counterparts following the Ukrainian offensive, Putin regarded the Wagner mutiny as an act of betrayal. He described it as a "stab in the back," further underscoring the limited number of allies he currently enjoys on the global stage.
Prigozhin Claims Nonviolent Capture of Army Headquarters in Southern Russia
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner group and the orchestrator of the mutiny targeting top military officials in Moscow, made a stunning declaration on Saturday. Speaking through his Telegram audio message, Prigozhin confidently announced that his fighters had successfully taken control of the army headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, without resorting to any acts of violence. Moreover, he asserted that his group had garnered support from local residents.
Addressing the reasons behind the widespread support, Prigozhin attributed it to their pursuit of justice, emphasizing their peaceful approach. As they made their way to Rostov, they remarkably managed to seize the army headquarters without firing a single shot, a feat that surprised many observers.
Prigozhin's remarks underscore the audacity and effectiveness of the mutiny, presenting a challenging situation for the Russian authorities as they contend with the internal unrest and its implications for national security.
