A Belarusian official reported that President Alexander Lukashenko does not intend to address the nation in an urgent broadcast, but he will take questions from journalists on Tuesday, June 27. This update came from Igor Tur, a columnist for Belarusian state television ONT, and reflects a cautious approach to public communication from Minsk during a period of heightened political tension.
According to Tur, Lukashenko plans to speak the following day only if there is a meaningful reason, noting that no immediate national crisis necessitates an evening address. The comments suggest that the president will proceed with questions if there is substantial material to cover, rather than delivering a scripted or routine message.
Earlier, the Telegram channel Pool of the First, which had previously been aligned with the president’s press service, posted that there would be many questions, various theories, and competing interpretations circulating in public discourse. The message hinted that the first channel would reveal all details and provide full answers, though it did not specify the exact date, time, or topics of Lukashenko’s forthcoming remarks. This announcement underscored the public’s interest in the president’s stance amid ongoing developments.
Meanwhile, on June 26, President Vladimir Putin of Russia addressed his country, expressing gratitude to Lukashenko for his role in resolving the crisis involving the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) and its leadership. The Russian president floated the possibility that Wagner troops could either sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry or relocate to Belarus, highlighting a potential shift in regional security alignments as the episode evolved.
Earlier, on June 23, Wagner PMC chief Yevgeny Prigozhin asserted that Russian Defense Ministry forces had attacked the rear camps of his organization, and that his fighters were advancing toward Russia on a “march for justice.” The Russian authorities rejected these allegations, and the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a case against Prigozhin for organizing an armed rebellion. The conflicting narratives from Moscow and the mercenary group intensified questions about loyalty, control, and the future direction of the conflict.
By the morning of June 24, Wagner forces had secured several administrative buildings in Rostov-on-Don, while Putin began moving toward Moscow. He publicly condemned Prigozhin as having betrayed the state and warned the mercenary leader and his associates of the consequences. The situation drew backing from the State Duma, the Federation Council, and regional leaders, and the Chechen Akhmat forces were deployed to Rostov to restore order and support security operations.
That evening, Belarusian presidential aides provided further insight into the discussions between Lukashenko and Prigozhin. The parties reportedly reached an arrangement described as an acceptable solution that would guarantee the safety of Wagner fighters, though Prigozhin later described his decision to reverse his marches and return his columns to field camps. The evolving sequence of events underscored the complex political calculus facing Minsk as it navigates regional security concerns and maintains a careful public posture to avoid destabilizing consequences for Belarus and its neighbors. In the broader geopolitical context, observers noted the ongoing negotiations and the strategic implications of any settlement that could influence troop movements, bilateral relations, and the balance of power in the region. (Source: regional briefings and subsequent official statements, with analyses from independent observers and regional commentators.)