The attempted mutiny in Russia shows “real cracks” in the power of Vladimir Putin, America’s top diplomat has said.
In the first direct comments by the US government, Anthony Blinken said Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigohzin had issued a “direct challenge” to the Russian president.
“I don’t think we have seen the final act,” Mr Blinken said, after a deal was struck to turn Prigohzin’s fighters back from Moscow on Saturday night.
Putin has not been seen in public since addressing the nation on Saturday morning, vowing to put down the rebellion.
Mr Blinken described the conflict as an “internal matter” for Putin, who must now seek to address the turmoil in the weeks ahead as the fracture threatens Moscow’s military capabilities.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, echoed Mr Blinken on Sunday, saying Wagner’s revolt had highlighted the divisions within Russian leadership.
The abandoned march on Moscow “shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxillary forces”, Mr Macron told Provence newspaper.
He added that “the situation is still developing” and that he was “following the events hour by hour”.
The rebellion was the culmination of Prigozhin’s frustration with leaders within the Russian military over their conduct in the invasion of Ukraine.
In the first direct comments by the US government, Anthony Blinken said Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigohzin had issued a “direct challenge” to the Russian president.
“I don’t think we have seen the final act,” Mr Blinken said, after a deal was struck to turn Prigohzin’s fighters back from Moscow on Saturday night.
Putin has not been seen in public since addressing the nation on Saturday morning, vowing to put down the rebellion.
Mr Blinken described the conflict as an “internal matter” for Putin, who must now seek to address the turmoil in the weeks ahead as the fracture threatens Moscow’s military capabilities.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, echoed Mr Blinken on Sunday, saying Wagner’s revolt had highlighted the divisions within Russian leadership.
The abandoned march on Moscow “shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxillary forces”, Mr Macron told Provence newspaper.
He added that “the situation is still developing” and that he was “following the events hour by hour”.
The rebellion was the culmination of Prigozhin’s frustration with leaders within the Russian military over their conduct in the invasion of Ukraine.
The feeling of betrayal sweeping over the Russian forces must be building. I don't think we've seen the last of it yet.
Forwarded from White Powder (White Rex)
Безусловно, я, как и вы, расстроен.
Что теперь ждёт ЧВК и Пригожина?
Что теперь ждёт ЧВК и Пригожина?
Anonymous Poll
39%
Разгром и казнь соответственно.
14%
Тихая служба в РБ.
10%
Тихая служба в ЦАР.
12%
Возвращение на фронт.
21%
Ничего не сделают им.
4%
Свой вариант:
On the morning of June 26, the criminal case on organizing an armed rebellion (Article 279 of the Criminal Code), the main defendant in which was the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, was not terminated and continues to be investigated by an investigator from the Investigation Department of the FSB of Russia.