Belarusian Dictator Believes Putin Would Not Have Wagner Boss Killed
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has stated that he does not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin would be inclined to have Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin killed. Lukashenko made these comments during a news conference on Thursday. He stated, What will happen to Prigozhin next? Well, everything happens in life. But if you think that Putin is so malicious and vindictive that he will ‘kill’ Prigozhin tomorrow, no, this will not happen.
Lukashenko’s statement comes just a week after he boasted about persuading Putin not to assassinate Prigozhin. This revelation raises questions about Putin’s character and intentions, particularly due to his history of violent crackdowns on opposition figures. The Russian leader has been linked to the attempted assassinations of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and opposition leader Alexei Navalny, among others.
The Belarusian dictator negotiated the end of Prigozhin’s armed revolt against the Russian government last month. Prigozhin, who was once a staunch ally of Putin and even known as his chef, turned against Russia’s military leadership by accusing them of sabotaging the Ukrainian war efforts. Prigozhin launched a march for justice towards Moscow, which posed a significant threat to Putin’s grip on power. However, Prigozhin ultimately decided to turn back, citing his reluctance to risk the lives of Russian soldiers.
Since then, Prigozhin has remained out of the public eye. However, Russian media outlet Fontanka reported that he arrived in St. Petersburg on July 4 and was given back the weapons that had been confiscated from him. Lukashenko, on the other hand, claims that Prigozhin is free and that they have spoken several times over the phone to discuss Wagner’s future actions.
Lukashenko emphasized Putin’s supposedly good relations with Prigozhin and their longstanding acquaintance of around 30 years. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also highlighted Lukashenko’s relationship with Prigozhin, stating that Lukashenko has known him personally for about 20 years.
It is essential to approach this topic with a balanced perspective, considering different viewpoints and opinions. Lukashenko’s assertion may reflect his desire to maintain good relations with Putin and avoid potential backlash. On the other hand, Putin’s track record and history of eliminating opponents cannot be ignored.
Though Lukashenko’s statement suggests that Prigozhin is safe, the ultimate truth remains uncertain. Given the complex and opaque nature of Russian politics, only time will reveal Prigozhin’s fate. With the volatile dynamics at play, it is crucial to continue monitoring the situation closely.
