USA: Wagner's rebellion revealed 'rifts' in Russia, an unprecedented challenge!

2023-06-26 09:03:37Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
USA: Wagner's rebellion revealed 'rifts' in Russia, an
In the photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

An uprising by the Wagner mercenary group has created an unprecedented challenge for Russian President Vladimir Putin, exposing "fissures" in his leadership that could persist for weeks or months, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Blinken and members of the US Congress said in a series of televised interviews on Sunday that the turmoil in Russia has weakened Putin in ways that could help Ukraine mount a counteroffensive against Russian forces on its soil, and could benefit neighboring Baltic states. and Poland.

"I don't think we've seen the final act," Blinken told ABC television after the end of the uprising by forces led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Blinken said tensions fueled by the insurgency had been building for months, adding that the threat of internal chaos could affect Russia's military capabilities in Ukraine. "We have seen additional cracks appear in the Russian facade. It is too early to say where they will go and when they will get there. But, certainly, we have all kinds of new questions that Putin will have to deal with in the coming weeks and months," Blinken told NBC television.

Blinken described the unrest as a "domestic matter" for Putin. "We are resolutely and unrelentingly focused on Ukraine, and ensuring that it gets what it needs to defend itself and return territory occupied by Russia," the US Secretary added.

U.S. officials expect to soon learn more about the events that unfolded in Russia, including details of the deal with Prigozhin, brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, for Wagner's fighters to return to their bases. "It is possible that Putin did not want to descend to the level of direct negotiations with Prigozhin," added Blinken.


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