Title: Putin Reveals Failed Attempt to Replace Wagner Mercenary Chief
Date: Friday, July 14, 2023
In a surprising admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed that he sought to replace Yevgeny Prigozhin as the leader of Wagner’s fighters in Ukraine, but his proposal was rejected during a recent meeting at the Kremlin. The details of Putin’s version of events were revealed in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper, shedding light on ongoing negotiations regarding the Wagner mercenary group.
According to analysts, last month’s short-lived Wagner rebellion exposed Putin’s weaknesses and his struggles in managing conflicts among key power players within his regime. The failed mutiny appears to have prompted negotiations between Putin and Prigozhin, highlighting the Russian president’s willingness to secure the loyalty of the Wagner rank and file.
During the meeting at the Kremlin, Putin offered Prigozhin the option to allow Wagner fighters to continue serving in Ukraine, under the leadership of their battlefield commander, Andrey Trochev. While the proposition garnered support from some Wagner commanders, Prigozhin disagreed, stating that “the guys won’t agree with that decision.”
The publication of Putin’s unsuccessful negotiations with Prigozhin is part of a broader effort by the Kremlin to consolidate loyalty within the Wagner group. Simultaneously, the Russian government has been leaking sensitive and embarrassing information about Prigozhin, seeking to discredit him.
Putin’s interview also raised questions about the future of Wagner, as he stated that the mercenary group does not officially exist under Russian legislation, which outlaws private military companies. Dara Massicot, a senior policy researcher specializing in Russian military strategy, believes that Putin’s remarks indicate he could outlaw Wagner at any moment, while simultaneously attempting to distance himself from Prigozhin.
However, Massicot noted that Putin’s decision to publicly disclose the failed negotiations might not project the strength that the president intended. The leaked information regarding Prigozhin’s alleged corruption and the release of embarrassing photographs are part of a media campaign aimed at undermining his position.
Political consultant Abbas Gallyamov suggested that Putin’s willingness to meet with Prigozhin indicated a desire to normalize their relationship, as both sides still need each other. However, the failure to find common ground is evident from the media campaign against Prigozhin and the leaked images portraying him in compromising positions.
On Friday, Belarusian state television claimed that the first Wagner fighters had arrived in the country, demonstrating their cooperation with the Belarusian defense forces in training local defense forces. While the US has stated that Wagner is largely sidelined in Ukraine, the majority of their fighters remain in Russian-occupied territories.
The ongoing negotiations between Putin and Prigozhin have significant implications, including Prigozhin’s lucrative operations in Africa and his Concord Group’s contracts to supply Russian military bases abroad. If the Kremlin can wrest control of these assets from Prigozhin, it would be a valuable prize in their efforts to maintain influence and operations.
While the details of the negotiations and power dynamics between Putin and Prigozhin continue to unfold, the revelations have exposed vulnerabilities within the Russian regime, raising questions about Putin’s ability to manage internal conflicts effectively.