Minsk, Belarus – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has revealed that he successfully dissuaded Russian President Vladimir Putin from carrying out his plan to eliminate the prominent mercenary figure Yevgeny Prigozhin during what the Kremlin portrayed as a mutiny that threatened to plunge Russia into a state of civil war.
Initially, Putin adamantly pledged to crush the mutiny, likening it to the tumultuous period of wartime upheaval that catalyzed the 1917 revolution and subsequently ignited a devastating civil war. However, within hours, an agreement was reached, permitting Prigozhin and some of his combatants to seek refuge in Belarus.
On Tuesday, Prigozhin traveled from Russia to Belarus, according to REUTERS, marking a crucial development in the unfolding events.
Lukashenko, recounting his conversation with Putin on Saturday, employed criminal slang to convey the act of killing, reflecting his attempt to dissuade the Russian leader from pursuing such a drastic course of action.
“I also discerned that a ruthless decision had been reached (as implied by Putin’s rhetoric) to ‘wipe out’ the mutineers,” Lukashenko disclosed during a meeting with his military officials and journalists, as reported by The Guardian.
“I proposed to Putin that he exercise restraint. ‘Come on,’ I implored, ‘Let us engage in dialogue with Prigozhin and his commanders.’ In response, he informed me, ‘Listen, Sasha, it’s pointless. He doesn’t even answer the phone; he refuses to converse with anyone.'”
It is noteworthy that Putin had previously employed the same verb in 1999 when referring to Chechen militants, vowing to “wipe them out in the shithouse.” These remarks have since become an emblematic testament to his resolute persona.
As of now, the Kremlin has not issued a formal response to Lukashenko’s revelations, which offer a rare glimpse into the discussions taking place within the corridors of power as Russia, according to Putin’s own account, teetered on the precipice of an unprecedented period of turmoil.
Lukashenko, who shares a history with Prigozhin and maintains a close alliance with Putin, disclosed that he had urged the Russian president to consider the broader implications beyond immediate circumstances, cautioning that eliminating Prigozhin could potentially trigger a widespread uprising among his followers.
Moreover, the Belarusian leader asserted that his own military could benefit from the expertise of the Wagner Group, whose members are now permitted, as per an agreement with the Kremlin, to relocate to Belarus.
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“This represents the most highly trained unit within our armed forces,” Lukashenko emphasized, as quoted by the state news agency BelTA. “Who could dispute this fact? Even my military personnel recognize this, and we do not possess such caliber within Belarus.”
Subsequently, Lukashenko addressed his military, stating, “People fail to comprehend that we are approaching this matter pragmatically… The Wagner Group has undergone significant experiences and can provide us with invaluable insights regarding weaponry—what proved effective and what did not.”
In response to Lukashenko’s intervention, Prigozhin suspended what he dubbed the “march of justice” towards Moscow, halting his movement within 200 kilometers of the capital city while the situation continued to unfold.
