Putin met with Wagner chief Prigozhin days after abortive mutiny: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin days after a short-lived rebellion by the mercenary chief and his private army, the Kremlin’s spokesman said on July 10.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin days after a short-lived rebellion by the mercenary chief and his private army, the Kremlin’s spokesman said on July 10.

The three-hour meeting took place at the Kremlin on June 29 and also involved commanders from the military company Mr. Prigozhin founded, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Wagner mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. Mr. Prigozhin has a long-simmering feud with Russia’s top military brass which on June 24 culminated in an armed mutiny in which he led his fighters into Russia.

Mr. Prigozhin ended the mutiny after a deal was brokered for him to be exiled to Belarus.

The confirmation of a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Putin, who has branded Mr. Prigozhin as a backstabbing traitor, adds a new twist to the uncertainty surrounding the mercenary chief. His fate and whereabouts have been unknown since the abortive mutiny, which severely weakened Mr. Putin's authority.

Mr. Peskov said that during the June 29 meeting, Mr. Putin offered an “assessment” of Wagner’s actions on the battlefield in Ukraine and "of the events of June 24.” The President also “listened to the explanations of the commanders and offered them options for further employment and further use in combat,” the Kremlin spokesman said.

“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,” Mr. Peskov said.