News

Wagner Group’s Prigozhin back in Russia: Belarus’s Lukashenko

Published

3 years ago

July 7, 2023

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed speculation Russian President Vladimir Putin would have Yevgeny Prigozhin killed

Wagner Group’s Yevgeny Prigozhin has returned to Russia with thousands of fighters, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday, dismissing speculation Russian President Vladimir Putin would have the mutineer killed.

Lukashenko helped broker a deal with Prigozhin to end the recent Wagner mutiny, which represented the greatest threat to Putin’s power in his 23 years as president.

As part of that deal, Prigozhin was meant to end the rebellion with his mercenaries and move to Belarus. In exchange, Putin would drop all charges.

Lukashenko said Thursday that Prigozhin may still be in Russia, denying that they may ever actually move to Belarus.

In spite of this, Lukashenko said the deal was upheld and he stood by his offer to host Wagner – a prospect which has alarmed neighbouring NATO countries – and would speak with Putin shortly.

Lukashenko added that the Russian security services likely kept a close eye on him.

While there had been speculation Putin may have wanted to “wipe out” Prigozhin, Lukashenko said that while some within the Kremlin may have wished to do so, Lukashenko said that this risked igniting a civil war.

“If you think Putin is so malicious and vindictive that he will ‘wipe him out’ tomorrow – to say it in Russian – no, this will not happen,” Lukashenko said.

“The fighters of the Wagner group are at their camps – their permanent camps – those where they have been located since they left the front.”

Wagner’s main camp is in southern Russia, at Molkino near Krasnodar.

Prigozhin said the mutiny was aimed at Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, not at toppling Putin.

News

Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

15 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

15 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion