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Tag: Aleksandr Lukashenko

  • Wagner head Prigozhin is in Russia – President Lukashenko

    Wagner head Prigozhin is in Russia – President Lukashenko

    Aleksandr Lukashenko has stated that the head of the Wagner mercenary force is not on Belarusian soil.

    The whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who orchestrated an armed takeover of the Kremlin in late June, have been the subject of numerous rumours.

    The warlord had consented to leave for exile in the adjacent nation as part of a deal to put an end to the uprising that was mediated by the president of Belarus.

    He has not been seen in public since the mutiny, and last week it was believed he had landed in the capital Minsk.

    Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko speaks as he meets with foreign media at his residence, the Independence Palace, in the capital Minsk on July 6, 2023. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)
    Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko (Picture: AFP)

    But Lukashenko said Prigozhin is in Russia and ‘may’ be in St Petersburg or even Moscow.

    He told reporters today: ‘As for Prigozhin, he is in St Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus.’

    A business jet linked to Prigozhin left St Petersburg for Moscow yesterday, and was heading for southern Russia today, according to flight tracking data.

    But it was not clear if the mercenary chief was on board the plane.

    Wigs, a sledgehammer, gold bars and a lot of icons ? Russian media prints photos alleged to be from Prigozhin's house Yevgeny Prigozhin
    Guns, a sledgehammer and gold bars among items found in Prigozhin’s home
    Wigs, a sledgehammer, gold bars and a lot of icons ? Russian media prints photos alleged to be from Prigozhin's house Yevgeny Prigozhin
    There were also a number of wigs and fake beards shoved in a cupboard

    Lukashenko said an offer for Wagner to station some of its fighters in Belarus – a prospect that has alarmed neighbouring Nato countries – still stands.

    He said he did not see it as a risk to Belarus and did not believe they would ever take up arms against his country.

    Separately, Russia has said the for-hire soldiers can go to Belarus, sign up with its regular armed forces or demobilise.

    Lukashenko’s comments came just hours after Russian security serve agents raided Prigozhin’s mansion in St Petersburg.

    FSB officers found fake wigs and beards, forged passports, guns and ammo, a sledgehammer, gold bars, a stuffed alligator.

    A framed photo allegedly showing the severed heads of Prigozhin’s enemies was also among the belongings.

    Images of the raid were then leaked and published by the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia.

  • Putin’s ally Lukashenko provides update on Wagner CEO Prigozhin

    Putin’s ally Lukashenko provides update on Wagner CEO Prigozhin

    Aleksandr Lukashenko has stated that the paramilitary group’s leader is not in Belarusian territory.

    Yevgeny Prigozhin, who oversaw an armed coup against the Kremlin in late June, is a subject of much rumour over his location.

    The warlord had promised to move into exile in the adjacent nation as part of a pact to put an end to the uprising that the president of Belarus had mediated.

    He has not been seen in public since the mutiny, and last week it was believed he had landed in the capital Minsk.

    But Lukashenko said Prigozhin is in Russia and ‘may’ be in St Petersburg or even Moscow.

    He told reporters today: ‘As for Prigozhin, he is in St Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus.’

    A business jet linked to Prigozhin left St Petersburg for Moscow yesterday, and was heading for southern Russia today, according to flight tracking data.

    But it was not clear if the mercenary chief was on board the plane.

    Lukashenko said an offer for Wagner to station some of its fighters in Belarus – a prospect that has alarmed neighbouring Nato countries – still stands.

    He said he did not see it as a risk to Belarus and did not believe they would ever take up arms against his country.

    Separately, Russia has said the for-hire soldiers can go to Belarus, sign up with its regular armed forces or demobilise.

    Lukashenko’s comments came just hours after Russian security serve agents raided Prigozhin’s mansion in St Petersburg.

    FSB officers found fake wigs and beards, forged passports, guns and ammo, a sledgehammer, gold bars, a stuffed alligator.

    A framed photo allegedly showing the severed heads of Prigozhin’s enemies was also among the belongings.

    Images of the raid were then leaked and published by the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia.

  • I prevented Putin from ‘destroying’ Wagner group – Lukashenko

    I prevented Putin from ‘destroying’ Wagner group – Lukashenko

    Speaking of his participation in quelling the mercenaries’ military uprising that sparked crisis in Russia over the weekend, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko asserts that he persuaded Russian President Vladimir Putin not to “destroy” the Wagner organisation and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

    On Tuesday, Lukashenko gave his perspective on the negotiations that caused Prigozhin to halt his march towards Moscow and said the oligarch is now in Belarus in accordance with the agreement.

    According to Belarussian official media, Lukashenko stated that “the most dangerous thing, as I understand it, is not what the situation was, but how it could develop and its consequences.”

    “I also realized there was a harsh decision taken – to destroy. I suggested Putin not to hurry. Let’s talk with Prigozhin, with his commanders.”

    Lukashenko – a longtime ally of the Russian President – said Putin told him: “Listen, Alex, it’s useless. (Prigozhin) doesn’t even pick up the phone, he doesn’t want to talk to anyone.”

    But Lukashenko said he managed to get hold of the Wagner boss and, according to his account, warned he would be “crushed like a bug” if Wagner troops continued their advance to the Russian capital.

    “We talked for the first round of 30 minutes in a swear language. Exclusively. There were 10 times more swear words (I later analyzed them) than normal vocabulary,” Lukashenko added, describing his interactions with a foul-mouthed Prigozhin.

    “Of course, he apologized in advance, and began to tell me everything using these obscene words.”

    The Kremlin has credited Lukashenko with helping to deescalate the situation, though the Belarus leader’s account of events has not been corroborated by Putin or Prigozhin.

    Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Lukashenko was able to draw on a personal relationship with Prigozhin to reach the deal, which would also see Wagner troops and equipment absorbed by the Russian military.

    Russia’s Federal Security Service meanwhile said it would drop a case against Wagner fighters over the apparent uprising.

    Prigozhin’s rebellion marked a sudden and dramatic escalation of his long-running feud with Russia’s military commanders.

    He seized control of a southern military headquarters and directed his private Wagner troops towards Moscow, and demanded the resignation of defense minister Sergei Shoigu – a call that Lukashenko says he eventually backed down from during discussions.

    While Putin survived the events, his standing appears significantly weakened. In an address on Monday, the Russian leader thanked the mercenaries for making the “right decision” in halting their advance, and offered them contracts to join the Russian ministry of defense’s force. He also claimed that the “armed rebellion would have been suppressed anyway,” without specifying how.

    Lukashenko said Tuesday that Prigozhin has received his personal assurances of safety, and the safety of his men, in order to defuse the rebellion on Saturday evening.

    “At five o’clock in the evening he called me and said: “…I accept all your conditions. But … What should I do? We stop – they will destroy us.” I say: “They won’t. I guarantee you. I’ll take it upon myself,” Lukashenko recalled.

  • “A leader of great power “- Belarus’ Lukashenko calls Putin on his 70th birthday

    Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, has received wishes from the president of Belarus in honour of his 70th birthday, which falls on Friday, October 7.

    Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, has sent his congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his 70th birthday.

    “Please accept my warmest congratulations on your anniversary. Being a true leader of great power, you make deliberate and difficult decisions in order to ensure the independent development of the Russian Federation, and protect the traditions and values of the Russian people,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

    The Belarus president said that “he cherishes open and trusting relations with the Russian President and an equal and fruitful dialogue, which serves to strengthen the allied Belarusian-Russian ties.”

    “Recently, this has clearly manifested in the closer integration of our countries. I am convinced that together Minsk and Moscow will adequately respond to global challenges and reach a new level of strategic partnership.

    “I wholeheartedly wish you, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, excellent health, constructive accomplishments for the benefit of the Russian state and long years in a circle of loving family and reliable friends,” the message read.

    The news comes after Lukashenko to the nation of Belarus that “From October 6, all price increases are FORBIDDEN. Forbidden!”