WASHINGTON, Jun 24 US President Joe Biden discussed the situation in «President Biden spoke today with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The leaders discussed the situation in Russia,» the White House said. -release.
Biden and colleagues also reaffirmed Ukraine's «unwavering support,» the White House added.
Earlier Saturday, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on «recent developments in Russia.»
«Participants included National Security Adviser (Jake) Sullivan, Secretary of State (Anthony) Blinken, Secretary (Defense Lloyd) Austin, Chairman (Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark) Millie, Director (National Intelligence Avril) Hines, Director (CIA) William Burns and Ambassador (U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield,» the White House said.
«The President and Vice President will continue to be briefed throughout the day,» the administration added.
On Saturday night in Rostov-on-Don, the headquarters of the Southern Military District was captured by the Wagner PMC. Groups of armed people are moving around the city, checkpoints have been set up at the entrances and exits. This happened against the backdrop of statements by Yevgeny Prigozhin about allegedly inflicted by the Russian Armed Forces missile and bomb attacks on the camps of PMC «Wagner» — this was refuted by both the Ministry of Defense and the FSB. A criminal case has been opened against Prigozhin for organizing an armed rebellion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the actions of the rebels a criminal adventure, a stab in the back of Russia and treason, to which exorbitant ambitions and personal interests led. All those who embarked on the path of betrayal, blackmail and terrorist methods will suffer inevitable punishment, the Russian Armed Forces received the necessary orders, the head of state added.
Earlier, Russia sent a note to NATO countries because of the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. The Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation stated that the NATO countries are «playing with fire» by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West does not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative effect.
Attempted armed rebellion. Online Reporting >>