Putin says he tried but failed to oust Prigozhin after Wagner mutiny

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Vladimir Putin has said that he sought and failed to have Yevgeny Prigozhin replaced as the leader of Wagner’s fighters in Ukraine after the mercenary chief rebuffed his proposal during a meeting at the Kremlin this month.

Putin’s version of events, which appeared in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper, was a surprise admission that the Russian president was still negotiating a takeover of the Wagner mercenary group.
...
During the meeting, Putin said he offered Prigozhin the option to allow Wagner fighters to continue to serve in Ukraine under the leadership of their battlefield commander, Andrey Trochev.
...
The offer met with some support from the Wagner commanders, Putin said. “A lot of them nodded their heads when I said this. But Prigozhin, who was sitting in front of them and didn’t see [their reaction], said: ‘No, the guys won’t agree with that decision.’”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/14/putin-says-he-tried-but-failed-to-oust-prigozhin-after-wagner-mutiny-figters-ukarine-war

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Putin is still vulnerable.

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I don't understand why poot would admit such a thing

Is it another as-yet-inscrutable Russian ploy?

[ananda]

2. Looks like it to me.

...

[Irish_Dem]

4. Yep, nothing is making much sense.

I hope the CIA has figured it out.

[oldsoftie]

8. Same here; since WHEN does trum.. I mean Putin, EVER admit failing??

I dont know if there's a reason for it but it sure doesnt make sense.

[Warpy]

15. I stopped expecting any of them to make sense a long time ago

But I've seen a few opinions saying Putin isn't the only one to use body doubles, that the interview was probably not Putin.

Apparently conspiracy theories are flying even faster than they do in the Qverse.

Right now, Shpigu is catching the worst of it since he exemplifies the intense cronyism at the top that puts loyal men into jobs they aren't remotely qualified to do.

I dunno, the knives are definitely being sharpened. It's anyone's guess who's going to get stabbed and when. I said a few weeks ago that it might be like the Roman Year of the Four Emperors, he's going to leave a mess like the one Nero left, no clear successors, no rlatives they could stick with the job, so they started going through military generals.

[NJCher]

17. That's called "you lost"

When there are no good options.

He just isn’t there yet in his head. Kinda’ like his buddy trump. Things will continue to go downhill, like how you described.

Every day gets worse.

[brush]

3. Hmmm? Who to believe, Putin or Prigozhin?

Pootie sounds pretty weak to still be negotiating with a person who marched on his government...and is still walking free and making decisions for his military command.

[maxsolomon]

5. Hey, let us make you expendable. Your actual soldiers are cool with it.

Enjoy Minsk; stay on the ground floor.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Putin may be making mistakes more often than when he was 10 years younger. This may be one. . . .nt

[Ligyron]

7. Odd admitting this, hmmm

Pootie didn't try real hard either...

[oldsoftie]

9. HAs Prigozhin actually been seen anytime recently ??

[orangecrush]

14. Nope

[FakeNoose]

10. Maybe somebody is impersonating Putin these days?

It has been documented that more than one person has appeared before TV cameras as Putin. Maybe the "real" one is already dead and replaced with a look-alike? Life imitates the movies.

[NH Ethylene]

26. Hmm. So then 'Putin' publically shows his weakness,

followed by a faux coup? With whoever is behind the imposter then taking the reins?

I don't know. It sounds needlessly complicated.

[Picaro]

11. Admission of weakness

This is usually not a good move by your average ruthless autocrat. Very weird that he would admit his impotence.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. Tear yourselves to pieces comrades.

[Talitha]

13. Hmmm.... that doesn't sound like something Pootie would do, does it?

Was that really him, or did they create an AI interview?

[NCjack]

16. Meeting likely held in a 1-story building, with no facilities for making tea.

[niyad]

18. Somebody please finish him already!

[Carlitos Brigante]

19. Total beta move! His fanclub would've totally expected him to ride his landshark into

the meeting. Then bite his head off.

[flamingdem]

20. Prigozhin has probably been iced

and Pootie wants the soldiers to switch to the new guy

[Joinfortmill]

21. Very strange, indeed. Someone is going to drink from the poison cup. Who, is the question.

[COL Mustard]

22. Putin failed?

I can’t imagine Hitler failing to oust a renegade part of his military. Weak sauce there, Volodya.

[Martin68]

23. This is a very strange story. It just doesn't make sense as it is presented here.

[SouthernDem4ever]

24. I agree with everyone here

It sounds like a setup - maybe to catch Ukraine off guard - only thing the makes any sense to me.

[Evolve Dammit]

25. not believing any of it. He could have destroyed the entire Wagner column in 20 minutes. n/t

[Mopar151]

27. Setting Progohzin up to step into Belarus?

Or staying tight with Wagner in Africa......