Wagner leader to Belarus?
On June 27, an Embraer Legacy 600 private jet linked to Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin flew from the Rostov region in Russia and landed near the Belarusian capital Minsk.
According to Reuters, it could be the plane carrying Mr. Prigozhin to Belarus as agreed after the Wagner rebellion last week. Mr. Prigozhin's forces seized the Russian military headquarters in the city of Rostov-on-Don and marched toward Moscow to demand justice after accusing the Russian Defense Ministry of attacking Wagner's barracks.
Quick view: What hot developments happened on day 488 of the Russian military campaign in Ukraine?
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko later mediated and Mr. Prigozhin and Wagner members were exempted from criminal prosecution. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on June 27 that it had canceled the criminal investigation into the Wagner rebellion under the agreement, according to RT.
Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in Rostov-on-Don on the evening of June 24
In addition to Mr. Prigozhin, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Wagner members can sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, go home or go to Belarus.
At a press conference on June 27, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the ceasefire agreement was being implemented and that President Putin had kept his word. However, Mr. Peskov said he did not know how many Wagner members would sign contracts with the military. On the other hand, Mr. Peskov said he had no information about Mr. Prigozhin's whereabouts.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on June 27 that Wagner's heavy equipment will be handed over to the Russian military.
Russian President Putin praises domestic unity, seals Wagner group's fate after rebellion
Belarusian President Lukashenko said on June 27 that he had ordered the military to be ready for combat during the rebellion in the ally country. The leader called it a heartbreaking event not only for him but also for the Belarusian people. President Putin will address soldiers and security forces who helped deal with the Wagner rebellion on June 27. Earlier, the Russian leader said: "The courage and sacrifice of the fallen heroic pilots saved Russia from catastrophic consequences."
Ukraine makes "encouraging" progress
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced late on June 26 that he had visited military units near the front line. The leader said it was a “happy” day with soldiers making progress in all frontline areas.
Ukrainian President visits frontline, praises progress on all fronts
In a statement on June 27, the British Ministry of Defense said that the Ukrainian air force had advanced a little further east from the village of Krasnohorivka, near the city of Donetsk in the province of the same name.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, recent simultaneous attacks by Ukraine in the Donbass region may have forced the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" and Chechen forces operating in the area to strain to resist.
Ukrainian M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in Zaporizhzhia on June 26.
There is no basis for peaceful dialogue.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov said on June 27 that there is still no basis for Russia to start a peace dialogue with Ukraine. The answer was given in relation to information from German media that the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine could begin in July.
Russia has repeatedly demanded that "new realities" be taken into account, referring to the four regions it annexed last year, if it wants to negotiate peace. Meanwhile, Ukraine has said it will only negotiate if Russia withdraws all its forces from its territory.
Russia-Ukraine talks to start in July?
Earlier, German broadcaster ARD said an informal international meeting to discuss ways to end the Ukraine conflict took place in Copenhagen (Denmark) on June 23, and Ukraine peace talks could begin early next month.
According to ARD, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was among the officials present in Copenhagen and the main goal of the discussion was to secure the support of "neutral" countries such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa for Ukraine.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who will arrive in Moscow on June 28-29
In a related development, the Vatican announced on June 27 that Pope Francis' Special Envoy for Ukraine Matteo Zuppi will visit Moscow from June 28-29. Reuters reported that the main purpose of the trip is to encourage humanitarian gestures that contribute to finding solutions and achieving peace.
Source link
Comment (0)