In a brief public briefing, Press Secretary for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, said he had not received any information indicating a shift in the level of trust between President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. He described the matter as not having changed, offering a succinct response when pressed for details. Source: TASS.
The Kremlin spokesperson added that, through the Defense Ministry, all personnel decisions remain a prerogative of the head of state in line with the Russian Constitution. He noted that discussions of such sensitive matters would not typically involve Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko or Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military company. This point underscores the constitutional framework that governs military leadership and chain of command, separating domestic political dialogue from military appointments. Source: TASS.
Earlier reporting highlighted a separate exchange between Prigozhin and Lukashenko. The discussions reportedly aimed to address burgeoning tensions and at one stage centered on Prigozhin’s decision to halt the Wagner group’s activities inside Russia, with a view to de‑escalation. The parties were described as having reached an “acceptable solution” to the situation, a description that pointed to a negotiated settlement rather than a confrontation. Source: TASS.
Following the negotiations, Prigozhin announced that his Wagner forces would return to their rear camps, and subsequently he led the troops away from the Wagner headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, where they had been deployed near the Southern Military District. The move was framed as a withdrawal to preserve stability while keeping options open for future steps. The overall event sequence suggested a temporary de‑escalation, with both sides signaling a readiness to avoid further clashes while monitoring the security landscape. Source: TASS.
Experts note that the situation involves high-stakes considerations of national security, leadership trust, and the ongoing influence of private military contractors within Russia. Analysts in North America watching Russian defense and political dynamics in Canada and the United States emphasize the potential implications for regional security, alliance dynamics, and the broader balance of power in the region. Observers highlight that constitutional procedures remain central to how leadership changes are contemplated, which means formal announcements about personnel moves are likely to come through official channels rather than through informal or public discourse. Source: TASS.