Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Negotiates Truce Between Russian Mercenary Leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian Military

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced a truce between Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian military. Prigozhin, the owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, had called for an armed uprising against the defense minister on Friday.

The truce was negotiated in two meetings between Lukashenko and Prigozhin, and includes “security guarantees for the Wagner PMC fighters,” according to a statement released on Telegram Saturday. Prigozhin has agreed to stop movement inside Russia and take further steps to de-escalate tensions.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, is the leader of a mercenary force who has gained global attention with Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prigozhin has been a low-profile businessman who has benefited from having President Vladimir Putin as a powerful patron.

The truce comes after Prigozhin’s call for an armed uprising against the defense minister. Prigozhin has taken responsibility for the potential of Russian blood being shed, saying on his official Telegram that he is “realizing all the responsibility for the fact that Russian blood will be shed.”

The truce is a step towards de-escalating tensions between Prigozhin and the Russian military. It is unclear what further steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the Wagner PMC fighters.