MI6 Chief Reveals Putin's Deal with Wagne
In a rare disclosure, the MI6 Chief reveals Putin's deal with Wagner amid the failed rebellion, revealing geopolitical complexities. The head of Britain's MI6, known as C, delivered a revealing speech in Prague, shedding light on the events that transpired during the failed rebellion of June 24. He confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private military group Wagner, struck a deal with Putin to halt his advance on Moscow during the uprising. This confirmation came as the first acknowledgment from Western intelligence regarding the behind-the-scenes agreement between Prigozhin and Putin, leading to Prigozhin's subsequent meeting with the Russian leader.
During the weekend of the rebellion, unusual tremors shook the Kremlin, and loyalties shifted with surprising speed. MI6 Chief Richard Moore expressed his bewilderment at the events that unfolded, remarking that Prigozhin's status appeared to change rapidly – from being seen as a traitor during breakfast to being pardoned by supper and invited for tea a few days later. Even for seasoned intelligence officers like Moore, the sudden changes in power dynamics were challenging to interpret.
As for Prigozhin himself, his frequent and profane audio messages on Telegram had recently ceased, prompting questions about his well-being and whereabouts. In response, Moore divulged that Prigozhin was still “floating around” according to the agency's understanding, but he refrained from making any firm judgments about the fate of Wagner, the mercenary group associated with Prigozhin. While it appears they are not currently engaged in Ukraine, there are indications of their presence in Belarus.
Western intelligence agencies have been cautious in their statements regarding the failed rebellion, as they fear providing fodder for Russia's narrative that internal dissent is orchestrated and fueled by Western spies. However, Moore's on-camera speech provided an opportunity for him to express his shock at the weakness displayed by Putin during the critical weekend.
According to Moore, Putin did not resist Prigozhin's advances and instead opted to cut a deal to preserve his position, with the intervention of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko facilitating the agreement. Although Moore admitted that understanding Putin's mindset is challenging, he believes the Russian leader must have realized the depth of the problems within the state and felt compelled to make the deal.
Regarding Wagner, Moore stated that firm judgments were difficult to make about the mercenary group. While they do not seem to be actively involved in Ukraine, some elements of the group are apparently present in Belarus.
Choosing Prague as the venue for his speech, Moore emphasized its significance as the last European capital to witness Russian tanks rolling in before Ukraine. In an unusual appeal to Russians who are appalled by their country's actions, Moore invited them to cooperate with the United Kingdom's intelligence efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed caused by the invasion of Ukraine. He assured that their secrets would be safe with the UK.
While Moore acknowledged China's complicity in the invasion due to its continued support of the Kremlin, he also highlighted Iran's support for Russia. However, Iran's involvement has created divisions among its senior officials, with some keen to capitalize on the situation and profit from the sale of military assets.
Global geopolitics have been significantly altered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Moore's speech reflects the ongoing efforts to understand and respond to the complex and ever-changing dynamics in the region.
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