Armed Uprising by Russian Private Military Company Wagner Threatens Putin’s Power Center, Says U.S. Secretary of State
WASHINGTON – June 25, 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern over an armed uprising instigated by the Russian private military company Wagner, stating that it has created a significant crack in President Vladimir Putin’s power center. Blinken believes that the repercussions of this rebellion may persist for months to come, which could potentially have far-reaching consequences for the Russian government and its policies.
During an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Blinken remarked, “I don’t think we’ve seen the end of things yet. We are witnessing developments that are increasingly exposing fractures in the Russian power structure. Only time will reveal the ultimate outcome and duration of this crisis. However, it is undoubtedly a matter that Putin cannot ignore, and it might require his attention for weeks or months.”
Blinken also highlighted the impact of this unrest on Russian military power in Ukraine, emphasizing the United States’ unwavering focus on supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities and its recovery of territories occupied by Russia. “Our steadfast commitment rests with Ukraine,” Blinken assured.
Furthermore, commenting on the mediation efforts between Wagner founder Evgeny Prigozhin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Blinken suggested that Putin’s reluctance to directly negotiate with Prigozhin may indicate a significant shift in the power dynamics. “Putin may be uncomfortable assuming a subordinate position in negotiations with Prigozhin,” he speculated.
In contradiction to Putin’s alleged plans for an attack on Ukraine, Republican Representative Mike Turner, Chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee, stated on CBS Television’s “Face the Nation” that the claim made by Mr. Prigozhin over the deployment of troops in Ukraine was nothing but a fabrication. Turner argued that these recent events would make it increasingly challenging for Putin to rally his people and incite them to make sacrifices for military involvement in Ukraine.
Republican Representative Don Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, echoed Blinken’s sentiments, emphasizing the potential benefits of weakening Putin’s power for neighboring countries such as Finland, the Baltic states, and Poland, which face ongoing threats from Russia.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Brinken said on June 25 that an armed uprising by Russian private military company Wagner had created a “crack” in President Putin’s power center that could last for months in a rice field. The photo was taken in Moscow. (Reuters/Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin, 2023)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Brinken said on Thursday that Wagner’s rebellion had created a “crack” in Putin’s power base that could last for months, illustrating the position.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the end of things yet,” Blinken told ABC’s “This Week.” On NBC’s “Meet the Press”, he said: “We are seeing developments that are creating more and more cracks in the Russian power structure. Time will tell where this is going and when it will end.” It’s too early, but I’m sure there will be questions about whether Putin will have to deal with it for weeks or months.”
Brinken, meanwhile, said that while the unrest was an “inside story” for Putin, it would lead to a weakening of Russian military power in Ukraine. “Our unwavering focus is on Ukraine, and we will ensure that Ukraine can defend itself and recover territories occupied by Russia,” he said.
Regarding the fact that Wagner founder Evgeny Prigozhin eventually agreed to withdraw troops through the mediation of Belarusian President Lukashenko, Mr Blinken said, “Putin did not like to go down to the position of negotiating directly with Mr. Prigozhin. Or?” he said.
US House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (Republican) said on CBS Television’s “Face the Nation” that Mr. Prigozhin’s next step in Ukraine was Mr. Putin’s planned attack on the Ukraine. it was a lie. “Putin will have a much harder time telling his people to go to Ukraine and make sacrifices,” he said.
Republican Representative Don Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told NBC that weakening Putin’s power would be good for neighboring Finland, the Baltic states and Poland, which are threatened by Russia.
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