Lukashenko promises to discuss Wagner PMC's fate with Putin, convinced that Russian leader won't kill Prigozhin

Belarusian media reported the information.

He emphasized that the leaders of Russia and Belarus will discuss the situation with the PMC and the further functioning of the unit.

"We agreed to meet with him (Putin - ed.) in the near future," Lukashenko told reporters.

The Belarusian dictator also claims that on July 5, he discussed further actions with Yevgeny Prigozhin by phone.

"He told me one thing: 'We will work for the good of Russia and fulfill our duty to the end'" Lukashenko says.

The self-proclaimed president of Belarus commented on the relationship between Putin and Prigozhin and said that the Russian president knows Wagner’s leader well, as "they used to have very good relations with each other." According to Lukashenko, Prigozhin is at large and Putin "is not going to kill him."

"What will happen to him next? Well, everything happens in life. But if you think that Putin is so vindictive that Prigozhin will be 'killed' somewhere tomorrow... No, it won't happen," the Belarusian dictator commented.

He emphasized that the situation with the Wagner PMC should not be reduced solely to Yevgeny Prigozhin, "because there are many other fighters in the company, including Russian heroes."

"A large number of soldiers were awarded orders and medals, and this is not because they were the Wagner soldiers, but because they really fought. Therefore, I think it would be wrong to destroy such a unit," he said.

Earlier, Lukashenko said that the Wagner fighters were in field camps, while the company's founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was in Russia.

"As far as I am aware, the fighters are in their camps. As for Prigozhin, he is in St. Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus," the Belarusian leader said.

He emphasized that he agreed to accommodate Wagner PMC on one condition.

"I am not at all worried or concerned that we will host a certain number of these fighters. Moreover, they will be hosted under certain conditions. The main condition is that if we need to use this unit for the defense of the state, it will be used immediately. And their experience will be needed," Lukashenko said.

He did not specify who Belarus would need to defend against.

Relocation of Wagner PMC to Belarus

Following Prigozhin's mutiny in Russia in late June, an agreement was reached to relocate the Wagner Group members to Belarus.

On June 27, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus confirmed the arrival of Yevgeny Prigozhin in the country. On June 29, satellite images were posted online showing a tent camp being built near Asipovichy, Mogilev region, Belarus. Radio Liberty speculated that the camp was being prepared for the Wagner Group members.

On July 3, Russian media outlets released photographs taken by local residents, showing an alleged Wagner Group camp in the Mogilev region of Belarus.

On July 4, Ukrainian intelligence reported that it was unlikely for Prigozhin to relocate all the fighters to Belarus and suggested that he would not permanently stay there. It is evident that only a portion of the Wagner Group members would be transferred to Belarus.