A meeting with Putin
Lukashenko thwarts Wagner mercenary expedition to Poland
7/23/2023 1:34 PM
When Putin and Lukashenko meet again, the two disagree on the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Wagner’s mercenaries also cause problems for the Belarusian ruler.
For the first time since the rise of the Wagner mercenary group, Russian President Vladimir Putin has his ally Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. The two visited a museum honoring the Russian Navy not far from St. Petersburg. According to the Kremlin leader, the working visit will continue on Monday.
In the 17-month-old war, authoritarian Belarus is considered Russia’s main ally. Rockets are launched from the territory of Belarus. Again, Putin and Lukashenko downplayed the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive. Lukashenko said: “No counterattack either.” Putin replied: “It exists. But it failed.”
Ukraine launched a counteroffensive to liberate the occupied territories a few weeks ago. She wasn’t progressing as fast as she had hoped. Lukashenko also commented on soldiers from Wagner, the Russian private army, resettled in Belarus after a failed rebellion against Moscow. “The Wagner people started trying on us,” he said. The mercenaries “liked to travel to Warsaw and Rzeszów,” he added. Both are cities in Poland.
Lukashenko promised mercenaries would remain in the central regions of Belarus. The Polish government has previously expressed concern that Russian fighters are now in the neighboring country. Therefore, Polish troops are to be moved towards the Belarusian border.
Putin and Lukashenko are close allies. Lukashenko mediated late last month to end the Wagner mercenary uprising in Russia. In an uprising on June 24, the group’s fighters marched on Moscow and attempted to overthrow the Russian military leadership. According to Russian reports, it ended after a few hours through Lukashenko’s mediation.
. “Amateur alcohol specialist. Reader. Hardcore introvert. Freelance explorer.”