MOSCOW – In an unexpected twist, the Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, on Saturday, June 24, 2023 announced a reversal in the advance of his troops toward Moscow, as Belarus intervenes to de-escalate a rapidly spiraling crisis.
This comes on the heels of a terse exchange between Prigozhin, who heads the Wagner Group, and the Russian military. Prigozhin had accused the Russian military of attacking his forces and vowed retaliation. The Russian government, in return, has charged him with “organizing an armed rebellion.”
Late Saturday, of Belarus revealed his administration had been negotiating with Prigozhin in a bid to “de-escalate tensions.” Prigozhin’s agreement to Lukashenko’s proposal “to stop the movement of armed persons of the Wagner company” was a sudden turn of events that has the potential to avert an armed clash within Russia.
In an audio statement released via Telegram, Prigozhin stated his decision to avoid Russian bloodshed by “turning around” and “leaving in the opposite direction to field camps in accordance with the plan.”
President Vladimir V. Putin, in a brief address Saturday morning, labeled the revolt an act of treason, decrying it as “a stab in the back of our country and our people.”
Kremlin officials, including regional governors and lawmakers, have expressed unwavering support for Putin. However, there was no public backing for Prigozhin.
Prigozhin, dismissing accusations of treason, emphasized that his forces were “patriots of our motherland.”
U.S. officials have been closely monitoring the situation, carefully avoiding giving Russia any reason to point fingers at the West for the unrest. President Biden reiterated their support for Ukraine in a conversation with European leaders.
Some in Eastern Ukraine view this internal strife as a possible diversion that could benefit Kyiv. Nevertheless, Russia persisted with its assaults on Ukraine, launching more than 20 missiles at Kyiv in an attack that resulted in at least three casualties.
This volatile scenario had repercussions on the Russian economy as the ruble plummeted to its lowest point against the dollar in over a year. One currency exchange service even suspended ruble transfers, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the Russian currency.
As Prigozhin’s forces retreat, the role of Belarus in averting a crisis highlights the delicate and unpredictable nature of the current geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe. The world watches attentively, as the events continue to unfold.
