Russian President, Vladimir Putin met with Russia’s Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his fighters after their failed mutiny, the Kremlin confirmed Monday, July 10
Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin had welcomed Prigozhin and 34 Wagner commanders at the Kremlin on June 29.
“They also said that they are ready to continue fighting for the motherland,” he added.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko — who mediated a deal between Prigozhin and Putin to end the political crisis caused by Wagner’s mutiny — said the private army chief remained in Russia as of last week.
Reports citing flight tracking services suggest that a private jet linked to Prigozhin returned to Russia this week after flying to Belarus.
At the June 29 meeting, Putin “assessed” Wagner’s actions on the Ukrainian frontline and their short-lived march toward Moscow from southern Russia, according to the state-run newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta.
The president offered the Wagner fighters “employment and combat options,” the publication added.
Peskov did not disclose whether Defense Ministry officials who had feuded with Prigozhin attended the talks.
