The world has its eyes turned to Russia since the escalation, this Saturday (24), of the biggest military rebellion inside the country since the 1990s. President Vladimir Putin even promised to “crush” the riot of the mercenary paramilitary group Wagner which, at least since 2014, has been funded by the Russian government to act, among other things, in the war against Ukraine.
After the Russian army allegedly reached the bases of the paramilitary group led by Yevgueny Prigozhin, the mercenaries started last Friday (23) what they call a “march for justice”. This Saturday (24), the Wagner group seized military installations in the city of Rostov, announced that it had shot down Russian Defense Ministry helicopters and was advancing towards Moscow.
During this Saturday afternoon (24), the head of the paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced that the Wagner fighters are repositioning their columns and returning to their bases.
:: Military rebellion: what is happening in Russia? ::
Faced with the crisis, statements by different heads of state are, so far, cautious. Presidents who have spoken out publicly only say they are, for the most part, monitoring the situation closely.
When asked about the subject in Paris, before flying back to Brazil this Saturday (24), President Lula said that “it would be rash” to take a position before having more details about the events. “I don’t intend to talk about such a sensitive thing without having the necessary information,” he declared.
On Twitter, the Secretary of State of the United States (USA), Antony Blinken, informed that the government is in constant conversation with the foreign ministers of the G7, a group that brings together some of the richest countries on the planet: Germany, Canada, USA , France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. “The United States will remain in close coordination with allies and partners as the situation continues to develop,” he wrote.
The White House announced that US President Joe Biden, in conversation this Saturday with the heads of state of France, Emmanuel Macron, Germany, Olaf Schoz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reinforced his “unwavering support” for Ukraine .
The North Atlantic Organization (NATO) as well as the French, German and Italian governments have said they are closely following what is happening in Russia.
The UK Ministry of Defense has advised the cancellation of trips to Russia, warning of the risk of unrest across the country. “In the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia’s security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be the key to the unfolding of this crisis. This represents the most significant challenge for the Russian state in recent times,” the UK ministry said.
:: Russian paramilitary group participating in the war against Ukraine accuses Moscow of friendly fire ::
Andrzej Duda, president of Poland, one of Ukraine’s allies, said he was keeping an eye on the eastern borders and was consulting allies and the Defense Ministry.
Zelensky: “Russia’s bosses don’t control anything”
The only head of state who has been categorical about the situation so far has been Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Since February 24, 2022, the country has been under Russian military invasion.
“Today [24] the world has seen that the bosses of Russia do not control anything. Absolutely nothing. Complete chaos. Complete lack of predictability. First, the world must not be afraid. We know what protects us. Our unit. Ukraine will definitely be able to protect Europe from any Russian force, no matter who commands it,” Zelensky said on Twitter, calling for more weapons for “real defence”.
“What will we Ukrainians do? Let’s defend our country. Let’s defend our freedom. We will not be silent and we will not be inactive. We know how to win – and it will happen,” wrote the Ukrainian president. “And what will the Russians do? The longer your troops remain on Ukrainian lands, the more devastation they will bring to Russia. The longer this person is in the Kremlin, the more disasters will happen, ”he concludes.
Editing: Raquel Setz
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
