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Putin met Russian mercenary boss after mutiny: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin days after a short-lived rebellion by the mercenary chief and his private army, the Kremlin’s spokesman says.

The three-hour meeting happened at the Kremlin on June 29 and also involved commanders from the military company Mr Prigozhin founded, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Wagner mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.

Mr Prigozhin has a long-simmering feud with Russia’s top military brass which on June 24 culminated in an armed mutiny in which he led his fighters into Russia.

Mr Prigozhin ended the mutiny after a deal was brokered for him to be exiled to Belarus.

The confirmation of a face-to-face meeting with Mr Putin, who has branded Mr Prigozhin as a backstabbing traitor, adds a new twist to the uncertainty surrounding the mercenary chief.

His fate and whereabouts have been unknown since the abortive mutiny, which severely weakened Mr Putin’s authority.

Mr Peskov said that during the June 29 meeting, Mr Putin offered an “assessment” of Wagner’s actions on the battlefield in Ukraine and “of the events of June 24”.

The president also “listened to the explanations of the commanders and offered them options for further employment and further use in combat”, the Kremlin spokesman said on Monday.

“The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland,” Mr Peskov said.

A total of 35 people took part in the meeting, including Wagner commanders and the leadership of the company, namely Mr Prigozhin himself, Mr Peskov said.

Also on Monday (local time), Russia’s Defence Ministry published a video featuring the country’s military chief – the first time General Valery Gerasimov was shown since the rebelling aimed to oust him.

During last month’s revolt, Mr Prigozhin repeatedly denounced Gerasimov, who serves as chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu for failing to provide his fighters in Ukraine with ammunition.

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