Belarus' Lukashenko says he convinced Putin not to eliminate Wagner leader Prigozhin

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signaled helium deterred his Russian counterpart and long-time state Vladimir Putin from eliminating failed insurrectionist and Russian paramilitary person Yevgeny Prigozhin aft his attempted coup implicit the weekend.

"I besides realized that a pugnacious determination was taken (Putin hinted astatine it successful his address) — to destruct those involved. I suggested that Putin should not unreserved to bash it. I suggested that I speech to Prigozhin, his commanders," Lukashenko said connected Tuesday, successful unexpectedly frank and exhaustive comments reported by Belarusian authorities bureau Belta.

Lukashenko emerged arsenic the improbable mediator of an eleventh-hour amnesty woody that agreed the withdrawal of Prigozhin's Russian militia Wagner troops, who had turned weapons to march connected Moscow. For his part, Putin renounced insurgency charges against Prigozhin and allowed him to retreat into exile successful Belarus — a humanities state of Russia that alleges it has taken transportation of Russian tactical atomic weapons connected its territory.

Against expectations, Lukashenko connected Tuesday confirmed that Prigozhin — a "dead antheral walking," according to Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group — reached Belarus by backstage plane.

Lukashenko described a "completely euphoric" Prigozhin passim their negotiations, who "talked utilizing lone curse words for astir 30 minutes" and made forthright demands to talk with Putin and beryllium handed implicit Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and service commandant Valery Gerasimov — the predominant subjects of his discontent.

"No 1 volition springiness you Shoigu oregon Gerasimov, particularly successful this situation," Lukashenko claims to person told Prigozhin. "You cognize Putin arsenic overmuch arsenic I do. Secondly, helium volition not conscionable with you, helium volition not adjacent speech connected the telephone with you successful this situation."

The Belarusian person noted the Wagner brass were "extremely dissatisfied" and were exercising unit that stoked Prigozhin's rebellion. 

"As acold arsenic I could recognize it, they powerfully influenced Prigozhin himself. I had figured it retired beforehand. Yes, helium acts similar a hero, you know, but helium was nether unit and power of those who were successful bid of battle units and had seen those deaths," Lukashenko said, alleging helium nevertheless warned Prigozhin helium would beryllium "brushed similar a bug connected your way."

Prigozhin's turbulent narration with the Kremlin has been fractured by assiduous accusations of incompetence among Moscow's subject echelons. Tensions erupted weeks ago, erstwhile the defence ministry mandated contracts for backstage subject companies, which Prigozhin refused to sign.

Putin initially classified Prigozhin's advancement against Moscow arsenic treasonous successful a televised address, but the Russian Federal Security Service has since closed the transgression lawsuit implicit equipped mutiny charges connected Tuesday.

CNBC could not independently verify Lukashenko's relationship of the events. A stalwart protagonist of Putin, the Belarusian caput of authorities was reappointed successful 2020 pursuing elections that were wide contested arsenic fraudulent. Lukashenko's ain authorities stands accused of authoritarian and quality rights violations.