‘Vladimir Putin’s reaction was weak’: Volodymyr Zelensky on mutiny in Russia | CPT PPP Coverage

The remarks by Ukraine’s President came days after Vladimir Putin survived a rare challenge to his authority as the Wagner mercenary group led by its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin decided to rebel against Russia. The troops of Wagner forces were seen in the Russian cities and were marching toward Moscow. The mutiny was withdrawn after Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko intervened and offered a safe haven to Yevgeny Prigozhin and other rebel Wagner troops.

“We see Putin’s reaction. It’s weak,” Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN’s Erin Burnett in Odesa, in an interview taped on Sunday.

“Firstly, we see he doesn’t control everything. Wagner’s moving deep into Russia and taking certain regions shows how easy it is to do. Putin doesn’t control the situation in the regions,” he said

“All that vertical of power he used to have is just crumbling down,” Volodymyr Volodymyr Zelensky added.

Half of Russia supported the mutiny: Volodymyr Volodymyr Zelensky

Volodymyr Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Ukraine intelligence said that the Kremlin was measuring the support for Yevgeny Prigozhin and half of the Russian population supported the mutiny. The videos from the country showed the crowd cheering for the troops of Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Ukraine’s President also reacted to the reports regarding his meeting with US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Bill Burns and said he was “surprised” to see media reporting about the meeting. “My communication with the CIA chief should always be behind the scenes,” he said. “We discuss important things – what Ukraine needs and how Ukraine is prepared to act.”

Volodymyr Zelensky said that his government has good relations with the CIA and the intelligence services of both countries talk to each other.

Updated: 03 Jul 2023, 06:12 PM IST