Lavrov revealed the details of Lukashenka’s participation in negotiations with Prigozhin

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on the morning of June 24, during a telephone conversation, suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin resolve the situation with the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, who announced a “march of justice.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke about this.

“Assessments of the Minsk role were given a long time ago, personally to President Lukashenko, who, as Dmitry Peskov explained repeatedly and in detail, spoke out in a telephone conversation with President Putin on Saturday morning, to try to help, to resolve this situation peacefully, to avoid the big bloodshed that inevitably occurred would be in the event that the rebel detachments continued to move towards Moscow, ”- informed Lavrov interview for Russia Today TV channel Lavrov.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Lukashenka’s proposal was supported. “And the result is known to you,” summed up Lavrov.

On the evening of June 24, the Pool of the First Telegram channel, close to Lukashenka, spoke about the negotiations between Lukashenka and Prigozhin, which lasted throughout the day. Their holding was agreed by Putin. As a result of the negotiations, it was alleged that Prigozhin accepted Lukashenka’s proposal to stop the movement of the military company’s equipment across the territory of Russia, and security guarantees are given to PMC fighters. This option was called “absolutely profitable and acceptable” in the message.

Prigozhin confirmed that the movement of his military equipment deep into Russia would be suspended. “Now is the moment when blood can be shed. We are turning our columns around and leaving in the opposite direction to the field camps according to the plan, ”his press service published an audio statement.

Prigozhin on the evening of June 23 accused the Ministry of Defense of strikes on the rear camps of the company. The military department denied these statements, calling them a provocation. In this regard, the FSB opened a criminal case on armed rebellion against Prigozhin (Article 279 of the Criminal Code).

The next day, June 24, Prigozhin was at the headquarters of the Southern Military District, the PMC took control of Rostov-on-Don, and then the columns with equipment and company fighters began to advance in the Moscow direction. In this regard, restrictions began to be introduced on federal highways. In several regions – in the Voronezh and Moscow regions, as well as in the capital – a counter-terrorist operation (CTO) regime was introduced.

In connection with the situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke. In a video message to the citizens of Russia, he named rebellion by internal betrayal and a “stab in the back” to the country.

After evening reports on the results of negotiations between Lukashenka and Prigozhin, Wagner fighters and equipment began to leave the regions, according to the authorities, this process went without incident. The authorities have begun to lift restrictions, the previously introduced CTO regime at the moment canceled.

In the Kremlin declaredthat the situation around Prigozhin will not affect the course of the special operation. Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov clarifiedthat PMC fighters who did not participate in the rebellion will be able to conclude a contract with the Ministry of Defense, the rest will not be prosecuted, and the founder of the company will leave for Belarus. The criminal case against Prigozhin will be dropped.