ISW: Lukashenko appears to be distancing himself from deal he reportedly mediated between Putin and Prigozhin

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appears to be distancing himself from the deal he reportedly mediated between Putin and Wagner chief Prigozhin, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.

Lukashenko demonstratively stated that Wagner and Prigozhin are Russian, and the questions about their whereabouts should not be directed to him.

"Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also claimed that the Kremlin does not follow Prigozhin’s movements, noting that the Kremlin cannot and does not want to follow Prigozhin.[9] Peskov’s statement is absurd given that the Kremlin and Russian security forces have the ability to detain Prigozhin or restrict his movements in Russia,” ISW said.

According to analysts, Lukashenko appears to be distancing himself from Wagner, and his rhetoric may suggest that he is pinning the responsibility on the Kremlin to enforce the deal.

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