Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says he personally told Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin twice to be careful of any dangers to his life.
Lukashenko mentioned that during their initial conversation, they were discussing agreements while simultaneously traveling towards Moscow.
I said to him, “Yevgeny, do you realize that if you continue, your people will be in danger and you will also die. ” He had recently returned from fighting in the war. On a sudden feeling, he said: “I will die, darn it.
Just a few days after a plane, suspected to be carrying the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, crashed in a field, the Belarusian leader recently discussed a subject.The plane was going from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
The accident happened exactly two months after Prigozhin tried to rebel against Russia’s military leaders,which was a big challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s power.
We do not know for sure what caused the crash yet, but the US and Western intelligence officials that CNN talked to think it was done on purpose. Russian officials are checking into a potential crime.
The Kremlin said they were not involved in the plane crash and there is no proof that Putin or Russian security services had anything to do with it.
The leader of Belarus said that when he spoke with Prigozhin for the second time, he strongly cautioned him to be careful.
Lukashenko did not say when the meeting happened. He said that Dmitriy Utkin, who has worked with Prigozhin for a longtime,joined Prigozhin.
The President of Belarus told Prigozhin that if he was worried about his safety, he could speak with Putin and be assured that he would be fully protected in Belarus.
I told them that if they were scared of something, I would talk to President Putin and help them move to Belarus. We will keep you safe in Belarus. Yevgeny Prigozhin has never asked me to focus on security issues separately.
The Russian government still hasn’t confirmed Prigozhin’s death, but Putin talked about him as if he has passed away on Thursday.
Prigozhin and Utkin were both on the list of passengers released by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, and both the Pentagon and British Ministry of Defense said that it is probable that the leader of Wagner was killed in the rush.
DmitryPeskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, said they are currently conducting tests to find out who was on the aircraft or ship.
Lukashenko said before that he couldn’t believe that Putin was responsible for the apparent death of Prigozhin.
I don’t know who did it. I don’t even want to be a lawyer for my older brother. But I know Putin – he is very careful, calm, and takes his time when making decisions about things that are not very complicated.
Lukashenko expressed disbelief over the idea that Putin could be responsible for it, stating that he cannot fathom Putin’s involvement.”He said that the work was not good and was done in a careless and unskilled manner. ”
Belta reported that Lukashenko said Prigozhin never asked for security promises after the failed mutiny two months ago.
I don’t have to make sure Prigozhin stay safe. This is the beginning. He said that the conversation between Prigozhin and Lukashenko did not focus on this.
He also said that Wagner will stay in Belarus. He mentioned that everyone from the group will be here in a few days. He was talking about the fighters from Wagner and the agreement he made to let them come to Belarus after the uprising failed.
“He said that there can be as many as 10 thousand people. “As long as we need them, they will stay and work with us.
Lukashenko mentioned that they were taking down extra tents because they had more than they needed,based on satellite pictures showing camp sites for Wagner fighters being dismantled. The main group is still here, but some people went on vacation and others chose to stay on the sidelines. However, everyone knows all the phone numbers, addresses, passwords, and how everyone looks.
Prigozhin’s death has brought uncertainty to Wagner’s future in Belarus and other places.