Lukashenko Says Prigozhin Is in Belarus

The Belarusian leader detailed some of his mediation efforts between Prigozhin and Putin

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday said that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus following his short-lived mutiny in Russia.

“Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today,” Lukashenko said, according to the Belarusian news agency BELTA.

The Belarusian leader denied rumors that camps for Wagner fighters were being built in Belarus but said he was ready to “accommodate” members of the mercenary group.

“We don’t build any camps for now. But if they want, we will accommodate them. As far as I can see, they are looking at various territories. Feel free to set up tents. But for now, they are in their own camps in Lugansk,” Lukashenko said.

It’s not clear how many Wagner members will head to Belarus. Under a deal to end Prigozhin’s mutiny, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered the mercenary fighters three options: sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, go to Belarus, or return home to their families.

“[Putin] told me yesterday that those, who don’t want to sign the contract and don’t want to fight, can quit,” Lukashenko said. The Belarusian leader added that Prigozhin told him some fighters will sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry and that others are looking to go home.

Lukashenko also detailed his mediation efforts between Prigozhin and Putin that ended the mutiny. Lukashenko said that during the talks, Prigozhin agreed to drop his demand for the resignation of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Lukashenko also claimed that he convinced Putin not to “eliminate” those involved in the rebellion. “I suggested that Putin should not rush to do it. I suggested that I talk to Prigozhin, his commanders,” he said.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.