Belarusian President Lukashenko claimed to have stopped Russian President Putin from making a “harsh decision” — a suggestion that Putin planned to kill the Wagner Group chief. Lukashenko’s comments were published by Belarusian state media.
RIGA, Latvia — When Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko tried to convince Yevgeniy Prigozhin to call off his rebellion against Moscow, the mercenary boss was “half-crazed,” Lukashenko said, pouring out obscenities for half an hour — and unaware, perhaps, that his life was at risk.The swearing in their phone conversation Saturday “was 10 times more than normal,” Lukashenko said in remarkably frank comments during a meeting Tuesday with his generals.
But however checkered Lukashenko’s reputation, the Kremlin confirmed that he was a central figure in the deal. And in his remarks on Tuesday, Lukashenko described conversations with Putin and Prigozhin in unusually granular terms. Lukashenko’s detailed account of sensitive conversations at the heart of the greatest crisis of Putin’s career was highly unusual. He conveyed the sense of a warm relationship with Putin, who he said addressed him as “Sasha,” a diminutive of Alexander.
“I suggested that Putin take his time,” he said, but the Russian president responded: “Listen, Sasha, there’s no point. He doesn’t even pick up the phone. He doesn’t want to talk to anyone.”In Lukashenko’s telling, he succeeded in persuading Putin to wait until he reached Prigozhin in Rostov-on-Don, the city in southern Russia where Wagner fighters had seized control of an important military headquarters and airfield.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Belarusian dictator Lukashenko’s unlikely cameo as mediator with WagnerStaving off open conflict between Russia and the Wagner Group will burnish Lukashenko’s credentials but inviting Prigozhin to his country could be a challenge for the longtime dictator.
Read more »
Lukashenko regime anxious about stability as Putin sends Wagner fighters to BelarusRussia will allow Wagner Group fighters who participated in paramilitary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s aborted uprising to go into exile in Belarus, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Read more »
Lukashenko warns of Belarusian ‘combat readiness’: 'If Russia collapses, all of us will die'Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told state media Tuesday that his military was brought to 'combat readiness' in reaction to the Wagner Group revolt.
Read more »
Head of mercenary group Wagner has arrived in Belarus after weekend mutiny in Russia, Lukashenko saysBelarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed on Tuesday that Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the mercenary group Wagner, has arrived in Belarus after a short-lived armed mutiny in Russia.
Read more »
Wagner mutiny will invite strikes at Russia's 'sore spots': LukashenkoThe Belarusian leader urged citizens to 'cool down' as questions remain over how Russia will recover following the Wagner Group's armed rebellion Saturday.
Read more »