Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his first televised speech after the Wagner group’s coup march on Moscow. In the speech, he issues an ultimatum to the Wagner forces.
– We took all measures to neutralize the danger, says Putin.
The moves come after total silence from the Kremlin and Putin. In the short and pre-recorded speech, he says that those behind the weekend’s march were traitors and that Russia acted against the mutiny of the Wagner forces.
– This was exactly what the neo-Nazis in the West wanted – for Russian soldiers to fight each other, Putin says in the speech and continues:
– I thank the soldiers who have taken the only right decision, to stop the bloodshed.
Putin: Two choices for the Wagner group
Putin did not mention Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s name during the speech. But he said he was careful to avoid a bloodbath, while accusing Western countries and Ukraine of trying to get Russians to “kill each other”.
– Now you have an opportunity to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense to fight for Russia.
Furthermore, he pointed out that any blackmail against the state will fail.
The Russian president also issues an ultimatum to the Wagner troops.
– The Wagner troops can either join the Russian army or go to Belarus, says Putin.
Earlier in the day, Prigozhin defended the actions of the Wagner group and directed criticism at Russia. Belarus leader Aleksandr Lukashenko is also expected to make an official statement on Monday evening.
The Russia connoisseur: A dilemma for Putin
Russia expert Malcolm Dixelius tells TV4 Nyheterna that Putin is facing a dilemma.
– On the one hand, he wants to prevent the Wagner group from remaining as a threat, On the other hand, he doesn’t want to scare everyone away, because then the army loses its best soldiers, he says.
Another problem is that the Russian army cannot offer the same favorable terms as Prigozhin. Malcolm Dixelius does not see it as likely that the most hardline followers will join the Russian army.
– I think it will be difficult for the Russian armed forces to maintain their reputation. Prigozhin was stopped with threats and a negotiated settlement, but no action was taken by the armed forces in Russia.
Although the Russian armed forces did not split in the way Prigozhin wanted, according to Malcolm Dixelius, he believes that it may become more difficult for Russia to recruit volunteers in the future.
– What remains is to listen to what Lukashenko has to say. He is also in a tight spot, and is probably trying to score some points of his own, says Malcolm Dixelius.