Associated Press
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was notorious for unbridled and profane challenges to authority even before the attempted rebellion that he mounted Saturday. The reported agreement for him to go into exile in Belarus would place him in a country where such behavior is even less acceptable than in his homeland.
Prigozhin on Sunday was uncharacteristically silent as his Wagner private army forces pulled back from Russian cities after a Kremlin announcement that he agreed to depart for Belarus; it remains unclear whether he’s actually there.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reportedly negotiated the deal. But Prigozhin’s maverick ways are at odds with Lukashenko’s harsh repression of dissent and independent media. In power since 1994, the leader often called “Europe’s last dictator” launched a brutal crackdown on 2020 protests against his rule; hundreds were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.
Lukashenko, Belarus became almost umbilically tied to neighboring Russia, agreeing to form a still-in-progress “union state.” Although Belarus’ army is not known to have taken part in Russia’s war on Ukraine, the country allows Russia to base troops there that have fought in Ukraine and made a deal this year for deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons. Lukashenko is a vehement ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prigozhin’s stance toward the Kremlin leader is murkier. Even as his fighters moved swiftly toward Moscow on Saturday, Prigozhin did not criticize Putin directly and instead claimed his aim was to oust the Russian defense establishment which he has denounced as corrupt and incompetent, complaining that it undermined his forces fighting in Ukraine.
The Belarus deal removes Prigozhin’s control of Wagner, but it’s unclear whether any of his fighters would follow him to Belarus, either out of a sense of loyalty or due to dismay with being absorbed into the Russian military as contract soldiers.
“These personnel could potentially sign contracts with the MoD on an individual basis, demobilize in Russia … (or) travel to Belarus in some capacity,” the Institute for the Study of War think-tank said in its report on the failed rebellion.
If in Belarus, there would be concerns about whether they could get access to the Russian battlefield nuclear weapons. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s security council, was worried about them gaining control of Russian weapons as the uprising roiled on Saturday.
“The world will be put on the brink of destruction,” if Wagnerites obtain nuclear weapons, Medvedev warned.
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Republished with permission from The Associated Press.
4 comments
Earl Pitts American
June 25, 2023 at 9:33 am
Good Morting America,
Here is the knowledge you and the world has been thirsting for:
The “war” between Ukraine and Russia is a total (but deadly) scam with both governments (Russia and Ukraine) funelling money back to The Democratic National Committee in their effort to retain the White House and The Senate.
This is the DNC’s new and improved “Election Cheat” for 2024. Note: I, Earl Pitts American, am totally aware most of our Great Nation thinks the DNC will once again use “Election Fraud” like last time. Both RINO’s and Dook 4 Brains Leftists are promoting the “Election Fraud” 2024 lies to take the sheeple’s eyes off the fact that they wont need fraud this time due to all that Russia/Ukraine “fake but deadly” war money donated by the USA (and to a lesser degree those weiner nations in NATO) being kicked back to The DNC.
Also both Ukraine and Russia, as a part of the deal, are providing money to the 8iden Crime Family.
Why?
Because it’s 100% in both Russia and Ukraine’s best interest that Democrats retain control of The White House and The Senate.
Think about it sheeple and you will agree:
Russia and Ukrain’s very survival, economically, depends on the continuation of Democratic induced high priced Energy, Food, and World Wide Inflation which was intentionally brought on by American Leftist control of both the White House and The Senate.
When the Desantis/Pitts POTUS/VPOTUS team take control heads will roll for this dispicable crime against humanity both over-seas and domestically. You wont get this quick decisiave spanking of the guilty from any of the “also running” “Republican” candidates. As you already know they are all “go-along-to-get-along Dook 4 Brains RINO’s”.
And that, America, is why you are all lining up to throw your money and support to the Desantis/Pitts tickit for 2024.
****Queue Annoyingly Loud Patriotic USA USA USA Music To Further Whizz Off Any And All Dook 4 Brains Lefty’s And RINO’s Who Have Read Earl Pitts American’s Wisdom****
Thank you America,
Earl Pitts “Sharing Wisdom” American
C. Eastwood
June 25, 2023 at 10:49 am
Good morning Earl,
The leftists worldwide and our local RINO’S here in The States are going to be mighty angry you let this Giant Saber Toothed Tiger of truth out of the bag. All the other Republican candidates know what you just revealed is true but they are in leauge with the globalists each and every one.
I’ve got my money on the Desantis/Pitts Team and want to be around to tell the leaders of Russia, Ukraine. China, and those weiner NATO Nation globalists to “Go Ahead Make My Day”.
Go get ’em Earl,
C.
Tom
June 25, 2023 at 11:38 am
I think it was an interesting tactical move. Prigozhin does control troops, they will march on Moscow for him and apparently, it’s not a difficult task. There was no need to keep marching because he proved it was easily achievable so the smart thing to do was stop and hangout with Putin’s buddy Lukashenko fracturing that relationship. You can see why these guys are so good at chess. Hopefully it will bring an end to the war and Ukraine can start rebuilding.
PeterH
June 25, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Yevgeny Prigozhin is an international war criminal without a country!
His days are numbered wallowing away the days in Belarus…….if he even gives himself up at the border.
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