Biden warns Prigozhin about his food choices.

President Biden Warns Russian Mercenary Leader of Safety Concerns

President Joe Biden has issued a warning to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russian mercenary group Wagner, expressing concerns for his safety after his attempted mutiny against top Russian defense officials. The incident occurred in late June when Prigozhin and his troops briefly seized control of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and a military headquarters building. However, a truce was negotiated by the Belarusian government before they could reach their intended target of Moscow.

Biden’s Remarks on Prigozhin’s Future

“God only knows what he’s likely to do. We’re not even sure where he is and what relationship he has. If I were him, I’d be careful what I ate,” Biden quipped on Thursday during a joint news conference with his Finnish counterpart President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki. “I’d be keeping my eye on my menu.

“All kidding aside, who knows? I don’t know,” he added. “I don’t think any of us know for sure what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.”

Biden’s recent trip to Europe primarily focused on the highly anticipated NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. While reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine, neither Biden nor the alliance provided a specific checklist of requirements for Kyiv to join the pact.

Prigozhin’s Whereabouts and Meeting with Putin

Since the conclusion of his short-lived uprising on June 24, Prigozhin’s whereabouts have remained largely unknown. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that the Wagner Group leader had arrived in Belarus, but he has not been seen publicly. The Kremlin confirmed earlier this week that Prigozhin had a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 29, five days after the conflict ended.

The meeting, which lasted approximately three hours, included nearly three dozen attendees, including Prigozhin and his unit commanders, according to Dmitry Peskov.

Continued Concerns and Influence of Wagner Group

Prigozhin’s forces played a significant role in Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly in the battle for Bakhmut, which was the deadliest of the conflict. Despite Prigozhin’s mutiny attempt, the United States Department of Defense has stated that there are still “some elements” of the Wagner Group present in Ukraine.

The Wagner Group also maintains operations and influence in several African nations, acting on behalf of Russia’s interests. Top Kremlin leaders have affirmed that this will continue, raising ongoing concerns among U.S. officials regarding Wagner’s influence in the region.

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