Current:Home > BackBiden says U.S. and allies "had nothing to do with" Wagner rebellion in Russia-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Biden says U.S. and allies "had nothing to do with" Wagner rebellion in Russia
View Date:2024-12-23 19:51:06
Washington — President Biden said Monday that the U.S. and its allies made clear to Moscow that they were not involved in the Wagner mercenary group's brief uprising in Russia over the weekend, calling it "part of a struggle within the Russian system."
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led an armed rebellion targeting Russia's military leaders, accusing them of botching the war in Ukraine, and also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wagner fighters appeared to seize control of the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, which oversees fighting in Ukraine, and were advancing toward Moscow until they were ordered back to their field camps when a truce brokered by Belarus was announced between Putin and Prigozhin.
- What is the Wagner Group, and who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? What to know about the Russian private military company
Mr. Biden said he spoke with U.S. allies over the weekend to coordinate a response to the rebellion and asked his national security team to prepare for a "range of scenarios."
"They agreed with me that we had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse — let me emphasize, we gave Putin no excuse — to blame this on the West, to blame this on NATO," Mr. Biden said. "We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system."
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday that the message was delivered to the Russians through various diplomatic channels.
"We also made clear to all our allies and partners that the United States was not involved and would not get involved in these events, and that we view them as internal Russian matters," Kirby said at the White House press briefing. "We delivered that same message to the Russians themselves through appropriate diplomatic channels."
The details of the deal between Putin and Prigozhin to end the rebellion were vague. As part of the truce, Prigozhin had agreed to move to Belarus to avoid prosecution. But Russian authorities said Monday the criminal charges hadn't yet been dropped.
In a statement Monday, Prigozhin, whose whereabouts are unclear, said the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing the Russian government, but was meant to prevent the loss of the Wagner Group's autonomy to the Russian military.
The mutiny was one of the fiercest challenges to Putin's leadership. Mr. Biden said the U.S. is still assessing the fallout and the implications for Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
"It's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going," Mr. Biden said. "The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen."
Mr. Biden said the U.S. and its allies will continue to support Ukraine "no matter what happened in Russia."
The president spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday to reaffirm U.S. support for the country and the events in Russia.
"What we're going to stay focused on is making sure that Ukraine can continue to succeed on the battlefield and not speculate about what this might or might not do on the political spectrum inside Russia," Kirby said, later adding that the U.S. is "not taking sides in this internal matter" between Putin and Prigozhin.
- In:
- Wagner Group
- yevgeny prigozhin
- Joe Biden
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hausofcait
TwitterveryGood! (59)
Related
- Biden, Harris participate in Veterans Day ceremony | The Excerpt
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- Sister Wives’ Christine Brown Shares Glimpse Into Honeymoon One Year After Marrying David Woolley
- NFL Week 10 winners, losers: Cowboys' season can no longer be saved
- Prominent conservative lawyer Ted Olson, who argued Bush recount and same-sex marriage cases, dies
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
- Trump is likely to name a loyalist as Pentagon chief after tumultuous first term
- Bitcoin has topped $87,000 for a new record high. What to know about crypto’s post-election rally
Ranking
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
- Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
- Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
- Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- NBC's hospital sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' might heal you with laughter: Review
- Tennis Channel suspends reporter after comments on Barbora Krejcikova's appearance
- Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
Recommendation
-
Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
-
The 10 Best Cashmere Sweaters and Tops That Feel Luxuriously Soft and Are *Most Importantly* Affordable
-
Kyle Richards Shares an Amazing Bottega Dupe From Amazon Along With Her Favorite Fall Trends
-
Why was Jalen Ramsey traded? Dolphins CB facing former team on 'Monday Night Football'
-
Just Eat Takeaway sells Grubhub for $650 million, just 3 years after buying the app for $7.3 billion
-
Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
-
Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
-
New York eyes reviving congestion pricing toll before Trump takes office