Lukashenko indirectly criticizes Putin

Riga Three days after the aborted Wagner uprising, Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko presented his view of the chaotic situation in neighboring Russia – and criticized Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko admitted it was “painful” to watch events in southern Russia.

All those involved initially misjudged the risk of the conflict escalating. Two people “collided into each other,” he said, referring to Putin and Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Neither Putin nor Prigozhin nor he, Lukashenko, can be described as “heroes”.

Lukashenko warned of instability in Russia: “If Russia collapses, we will all perish under the rubble,” he said. As events unfolded over the weekend, he put the military into combat readiness.