Kremlin: Putin met with Wagner leader after armed revolt

2023-07-10 17:55:41, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Kremlin announced today that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, days after the armed rebellion of the mercenary chief and his fighters.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the meeting took place in the Kremlin on June 29, i.e. 5 days after the rebellion. Commanders of the private military group founded by Prigozhin also took part in the talks.

Mercenaries of the Wagner Group fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, but the group's leader, Prigozhin, consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the Russian military leadership, which culminated in the 24 June armed revolt against the Kremlin. The revolt ended after an agreement was reached, according to which he had to leave for Belarus.

The face-to-face meeting with President Putin, who has described the leader of the Wagner group as a traitor, further adds to the uncertainty about him. His fate and whereabouts have not been disclosed since the failed armed uprising, which significantly weakened the authority of Russia's president.

Spokesman Peskov said that during the meeting on June 29, Putin made an "analysis" of the actions of the Wagner group during the fighting in Ukraine as well as the "events" of June 25.

Kremlin: Putin met with Wagner leader after armed revolt

According to the spokesperson, the Russian president "listened to the explanations of the commanders and offered them alternatives for employment in the future as well as opportunities for engagement in combat".

"For their part, the commanders gave their version of the events. They underlined that they are loyal supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue fighting for their homeland," spokesman Peskov said.

According to the spokesperson, 35 people attended the meeting.

On Monday, the Ministry of Defense of Russia also released a video where, for the first time since the failed rebellion, the chief of staff of the armed forces, General Valery Gerasimo, appeared.

During the rebellion, mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded his departure, having earlier criticized him and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for failing to supply ammunition to Wagner's fighters in the fighting in Ukraine.

Monday's announcements appear to represent an attempt by Moscow to control the information that is distributed to the public, in a turbulent period./ VOA