Putin hosted Russian mercenary leader Prigozhin at Kremlin after aborted mutiny
- Russian president held talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin and top Wagner commanders for nearly three hours on June 29, Putin’s spokesman said
- The meeting raises fresh questions about the June 24 revolt that Putin said brought Russia to the edge of civil war
Just five days after staging a short-lived rebellion, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin ‘s commanders met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged loyalty to the government, a senior government spokesman said Monday, the latest twist in a baffling episode that has raised questions about the power and influence both men wield.
The three-hour meeting took place June 29 and involved not only Prigozhin but commanders from his Wagner Group military contractor, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Putin gave an assessment of Wagner’s actions on the battlefield in Ukraine – where the mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops – and of the revolt itself.
“The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland,” Peskov said.
The confirmation that Putin met face-to-face with Prigozhin, who led troops on a march to Moscow last month to demand a military leadership change, was extraordinary.