On Monday, a senior government spokesman revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, at the Kremlin.
Meeting took place shortly after Prigozhin had orchestrated a short-lived mutiny.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed that the three-hour meeting occurred on June 29 and included commanders from Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mercenary company, the Wagner Group.
According to Peskov, Putin provided an evaluation of the activities of Wagner mercenaries who have been engaged in combat alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, as well as the uprising itself. It was reported that the Wagner forces expressed their loyalty to Putin.
The revelation of Putin’s direct meeting with Prigozhin, who led a march to Moscow last month to demand a change in defense minister, was highly unusual.
Despite Putin initially denouncing Prigozhin as a traitor during the uprising, the criminal charges against the leader of the mercenaries were eventually dismissed, leaving his future uncertain.
The meeting took on an even more extraordinary character due to Putin’s previous denial of any association between the state and Prigozhin’s forces, which had been the norm until very recently.
While the use of mercenaries is prohibited in Russia, Wagner troops have been actively involved in advancing Russian interests worldwide and played a crucial part in the capture of Bakhmut, the longest and most violent battle in the war.
However, during the course of the war, Prigozhin consistently voiced his disapproval of decisions made by Russia’s senior military officials, creating tensions with the Kremlin.
These tensions reached a boiling point on June 24 when an armed mutiny occurred, with Prigozhin leading his fighters into Russia.
The uprising dealt a significant blow to Putin’s authority, despite Prigozhin’s claim that the revolt targeted Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief Gen, rather than the president himself.
The uprising dealt a significant blow to Putin’s authority, despite Prigozhin’s claim that the revolt targeted Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov. rather than the president himself.
Prigozhin ended his mutiny after a deal was brokered for him to go to Belarus.
On Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry released a video featuring Gerasimov, marking his first appearance since the rebellion took place.
Peskov said during the meeting on June 29, Putin provided an “assessment” of Wagner’s activities in the Ukrainian battlefield and the “events of June 24.”
The President also attentively listened to the commanders’ explanations and presented them with potential opportunities for future deployment and continued combat utilization.
“The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland,” Peskov said.
According to Peskov, a total of 35 people participated in the meeting.