Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin moves to Belarus. The move is part of the deal between the Kremlin and Prigozhin previously negotiated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. This ended the armed mutiny of Prigozhin’s Wagner group against the command of the Russian army.
In addition to what at first appears to be exile in Belarus, it has also been agreed that Prigozhin will not be prosecuted for the mutiny. The same goes for the soldiers who took part in the mutiny. “We have always respected their heroics at the front,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Bloodshed
Earlier in the day, President Putin promised to punish rebellious Wagner soldiers. According to Peskov, this was rescinded to avoid a confrontation and further bloodshed.
Wagner soldiers who did not participate reportedly signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry offering the voluntary option to join the Russian army.
Prigozhin, in turn, allegedly demanded that Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov be handed over to him. Asked whether there would be any personnel changes in the Russian Defense Ministry as a result of the deal, Peskov said: “These matters are the sole prerogative of the Supreme Commander,” referring to President Putin.
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“No Consequence”
Peskov went on to say that Lukashenko had offered to mediate because he had known Prigozhin personally for some 20 years. Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees. According to the Kremlin, the Wagner mutiny “will not affect in any way” the struggle in Ukraine.
Source: BNR
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