The Kremlin said Monday that President Vladimir Putin had met with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 29 in the Kremlin, days after the mercenary group attempted to topple Russia’s military leadership.
“The president gave his assessment of the events of June 24,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, referring to the failed insurrection, adding that Putin also “listened to accounts given by (Wagner) commanders”.
Just over two weeks after the aborted mutiny, there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Wagner group and the deal that ended the rebellion against Russia’s top military brass.
The mercenary commander and a few of his fighters were supposed to be banished to Belarus under the plan.
Wagner men would sign contracts with the conventional army if they wanted to continue fighting for Russia in the meantime.
Putin “offered them alternative options for employment,” including in combat duties, during the three and a half hours they spent in the Kremlin with the Wagner commanders.
The insurrection, according to observers, represents Putin’s greatest challenge to his authority since he took office.
According to Peskov, Wagner commanders “stressed that they are steadfast supporters… of the head of state.”
They also declared their readiness to carry on the fight for the nation.
Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, who served as the mediator in the agreement with Wagner, claimed on Thursday that neither Prigozhin nor his men were in his nation.