SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 18 February 2025, Tuesday |

Wagner rebellion: Biden-Zelensky react with ‘positive and inspiring’ discussions

On Sunday, June 25, US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a conversation regarding the foiled coup attempt in Moscow led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group.
During their conversation, President Biden reiterated the United States’ ongoing support for Ukraine’s efforts in the war against Russia. The leaders also discussed the potential for enhancing defense cooperation, particularly in the area of long-range weapons.

President Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Washington for its unwavering support of Ukraine in a positive and encouraging Twitter post following the conversation with President Biden.
“We discussed the course of hostilities and the processes taking place in Russia. The world must put pressure on Russia until international order is restored,” Zelensky wrote on Twitter.

Zelensky said he thanked Biden for “the support of the fighter jet coalition,” stating that it is essential to increase Ukraine’s capabilities to “protect” their skies.

The White House said in a statement that Biden and Zelensky discussed the ongoing war and that Biden assured Washington’s support to Ukraine for the ongoing war.
They discussed Ukraine’s ongoing counter-offensive, and President Biden reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support, including through continued security, economic, and humanitarian aid,” the White House said in a statement. “The leaders also discussed recent events in Russia.”

Prigozhin’s short-lived rebellion
Over the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin faced the biggest threat to his hold of power over Moscow’s corridors of power after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group chief, launched an armed rebellion to oust Russia’s military leadership.

President Vladimir Putin deemed Prigozhin’s actions as ‘treason’.

“This is a blow to Russia. To our people and our actions to protect the Fatherland from such a threat will be harsh,” Putin said in his five-minute address to nation on Saturday.

“Actions that split our unity,” he said, “are a stab in the back of our country and our people.”

After taking over a military base in southern Rostov-on-don, Wagner’s forces accelerated their movement towards Moscow after Prigozhin was accused of treason and charges filed against him.

Wagner convoy entered the Lipetsk region about 250 miles south of Moscow, after pushing through the Vorenzh region.

The rebellion lasted for less than 36 hours’ after Belarus brokered an unexpected deal between Prigozhin and the Kremlin and former was told to leave the country and order his men to turn back to their bases.

Wagner fighters who did not participate in the mutiny reportedly signed contracts of allegiance with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

    Source:
  • Wions