The Russian front line is a “disgrace” and the Wagner mercenaries who once fought there will remain in Belarus for some time, Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said Wednesday.
Prigozhin’s mercenaries were credited with ranking among Russia’s best fighters, but his frustrations with Defense Ministry leaders led to last month’s quickly abandoned rebellion and what appeared to be his banishment to Belarus. Prigozhin, welcoming his troops in Belarus on Wednesday, said for now they will concentrate on training Belarusian troops.
“We fought with dignity. We did a lot for Russia,” Prigozhin said to cheers. “What is happening now on the front is a disgrace that we don’t need to participate it.”
He pledged to improve the Belarusian army and said his troops would prepare to continue working in Africa, where his troops have been tapped by governments to combat rebel forces.
“Maybe we will return to (fight in Ukraine), when we will be certain that we won’t be made to disgrace ourselves,” he said.
Putin highlights unityPutin highlights unity against rebellion, blames Wagner leader Prigozhin: Updates
Developments:
∎ Russian attacks on port infrastructure in Chornomorsk, Odesa Oblast, have destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said. Russia ended a deal this week that had allowed grain shipments.
∎ The Russian Foreign Ministry denied Western reports that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held backchannel talks in April with U.S. officials to lay the groundwork for when Ukraine is ready to negotiate.
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Putin won’t go to summit in South Africa ‘by mutual agreement’
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend next month’s BRICS summit in Johannesburg in person, instead relying on a video link, Kremlin spokesman Secretary Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday. Peskov said Lavrov would attend in person at the summit, which brings together the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
South Africa recognizes the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March. He and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova are accused of illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. The charges could have compelled South African officials to arrest Putin had he entered the country. The South African government said Putin would stay home “by mutual agreement.”
