Agencies – «Al-Jazeera»:
Belarus announced that its president, Alexander Lukashenko, had spoken to Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and they agreed to stop the group’s movements in Russia and the armed rebellion based on an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The intervention of Belarus on the line of crisis between the Russian army and Wagner forces came 24 hours after the announcement of the armed rebellion, and Belarus indicated that discussions are taking place between the two parties, to ensure the safety of the group’s fighters.
A statement from the Presidency of Belarus said via “Telegram” that the negotiation took place with Prigozhin, and stipulates stopping the movements of Wagner’s forces in Russia, and revealed that the talks between Lukashenko and the Wagner commander took place with Putin’s approval, noting that there is an acceptable proposal for security guarantees for Wagner’s fighters in order to stop the fighting. .
Wagner Commander
For his part, the commander of “Wagner” Prigozhin announced the retreat from one side and the return to his positions, “to save bloodshed.” He added that he would return his fighters to their bases based on the mediation of Belarus, and stop their advance to Moscow, while Putin and his Belarusian counterpart agreed on the need to avoid any bloody clashes on Russian soil. The two sides discussed the armed rebellion of Wagner’s forces and mediation as well, during a phone call.
The circle of confrontations widened
It is noteworthy that the mediation of Belarus came after the circle of confrontations between the Russian army forces and Wagner widened, hours after the group announced the armed rebellion.
Differences erupted between the commander of the military group “Wagner” and the leaders of the Russian army many months ago during the bloody battles that took place in Ukraine, but they turned into armed clashes since last Friday evening.
The fighting in the city of Bakhmut in southern Ukraine ignited the Wagner rebellion, as Prigozhin accused the Russian Defense Minister and Chief of Staff of plotting against him and betraying him, and withholding weapons from his fighters, but the Russian defense often denied these accusations, without responding directly to the Wagner commander until disputes erupted in a way Hastened Prigozhin’s declaration of military rebellion.
Our right to blood
Wagner’s forces, which began marching towards Moscow on Friday evening, following their rebellion against the military leadership, returned to their bases to spare Russian blood. “We are very happy that we have so far managed to avoid bloodshed,” Prigozhin said in an audio recording broadcast by his office. “On June 23 we set out on a march for justice.. In one day we reached 200 kilometers from Moscow. “Throughout this time, we have not shed a single drop of our fighters’ blood,” he added.
Back to the camps
Prigozhin explained: Now is the time when blood can be shed.. Therefore, realizing our full responsibility for the fact that Russian blood will be spilled on one side.. We are managing the destination of our convoys and returning to the field camps according to the plan. Prigozhin’s statement came after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that Wagner’s commander had informed him on Saturday of his agreement to stop the movements of his fighters in Russia and to avoid any further escalation of the situation.
The unofficial channel of the presidency in Belarus on “Telegram” said: Prigozhin agreed to the proposal of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to stop the movements of the Wagner Group militants and take measures to calm tensions.
International reactions
In terms of international reactions, CNN quoted US officials as saying that the United States is closely following developments in the situation in Russia, and the White House said: We are monitoring the situation in Russia, and Biden was briefed on Wagner’s moves against the leadership of the Russian army.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considered that the rebellion of Wagner’s forces is evidence of Russia’s weakness and political instability. Zelenskyy wrote on social media: Russia’s weakness is clear…widespread weakness…the more Russia keeps its forces and mercenaries on our land…it faces more chaos, pain and problems. Later.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is able to protect Europe from the spread of Russian evil and chaos, indicating that Russia chose propaganda to hide its weakness and the foolishness of its government – as he said – .. Now the chaos has reached a level that no one can lie about.
In London, the British Ministry of Defense said that what is happening in Russia represents the greatest challenge to the Russian state in modern times. She added that it is the loyalty of the Russian forces, especially the National Guard, that will decide the shape of the conflict.
For his part, the British Prime Minister said he would talk to allies about the situation in Russia, calling on all parties in Russia to act responsibly and protect civilians.
The presidential palace in France said: President Emmanuel Macron is following the situation in Russia closely, and the Elysee said, “Our focus remains on supporting Ukraine.”
In Warsaw, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that he had consulted with the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Defense about the situation in Russia, adding that Warsaw is monitoring the situation.
A spokesman for the Information Office of the German government said: The government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is closely monitoring the situation in Russia.
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