Lukashenko says Wagner chief in Belarus

MOSCOW

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, arrived in his country.

"Yes, indeed, he is today in Belarus," Lukashenko told reporters at a news conference in Minsk.

He said he offered the mercenary group an abandoned military site where they can "put their tents while thinking what to do next."

There will be no Wagner recruitment points in Belarus, but the nation’s citizens may join the group, noted Lukashenko, emphasizing that those who make such a decision should realize the "danger of death" for the job.

Lukashenko also said he consulted Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, who said the Wagner experience would be useful for the army.

Commenting on reasons that led to the mutiny, the Belarusian leader said "interpersonal conflict” between Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and Prigozhin "escalated into this fight."

"I know the work of Shoygu. Undeservedly he is sometimes criticized," he said.

Lukashenko asked that he not be called "a mediator," arguing he is "a participant," because it was a common problem for Russia and Belarus.

He also said lessons have to be learned from the situation with the mutiny. "We need to be more attentive to such military collectives if we have spawned them,” he said. “And we need to respond to their requests in time."

Lukashenko rejected allegations about "preparing a provocation with the help of the Wagner" ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"We do not need this provocation,” he said. “What it will give? Well, we'll scare them in Vilnius, then what? They will retaliate. Therefore, there is not any need.”

- Nuclear weapons

Lukashenko said most of the Russian tactical nuclear weapons have been deployed to Belarus.

Currently, the Belarusian Defense Ministry and the Committee for State Security are working to create an algorithm for the use of nuclear weapons.

"No one has ever fought with a nuclear power,” he said. “The task is set to determine the algorithm for the use of this weapon. Its (algorithm) basis should be that we should use it in a difficult moment if we are attacked.”

Lukashenko rejected allegations that claimed Wagner fighters will guard Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus.

He bears personal responsibility for the safety of Russian nuclear weapons, he said.

As for maintenance, Belarusian servicemen help their Russian colleagues at this stage as they do have enough experience, he said.