On Saturday, countries throughout the world kept a careful eye on events in Russia.
The Wagner mercenary group’s mutiny was the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s long rule.
What governments and analysts are saying about the unprecedented situation unfolding in nuclear-armed Russia is provided below.
Russia’s Vulnerability
The Wagner mutiny, according to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, demonstrated Russia’s weakness.
“Russia’s vulnerability is evident. Complete and total weakness.
“And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our soil, the more instability, suffering, and troubles it will face later,” he warned in a social media statement.
US President, Joe Biden, was briefed on the situation in Russia and in Washington.
“On these developments, he will consult with allies and partners,” National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said.
Europe’s top diplomat, Charles Michel, said the EU was “closely monitoring the situation in Russia as it unfolds”.
“Contacted European leaders and @G7 partners.
“This is clearly an internal Russian issue,” he wrote on Twitter, adding that “our support for Ukraine” is “unwavering”.
Protect Civilians
Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, asked “all parties to be responsible and to protect civilians.
“As the situation develops, we will keep in touch with our allies.”
“I’ll be speaking with some of them later today, and the most important thing is that all parties act responsibly,” he told the BBC.
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According to an AFP spokeswoman, “the government is closely following the events in Russia” in Berlin.
The foreign ministry recommended people to avoid central Moscow, as well as government and military buildings.
In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron “is closely monitoring the situation,” according to the Elysee.
“We remain committed to assisting Ukraine.”
“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy is closely following the events in Russia.
“It demonstrates how Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is causing instability within the country,” her office said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that while there is now no cause for alarm for Italians living in Russia, they are “advised to be cautious.”
Foreign Minister, Tobias Billstrom, of Sweden tweeted: “The government is closely monitoring the situation in Russia.” The situation is critical.”
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Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt of Norway stated the country was “closely following the dramatic situation in Russia and are in close contact with the embassy in Moscow.
“The situation in Russia is serious. Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder tweeted.
“I will continue to monitor developments… to see how they affect the conflict.”
“Unlikely So Succeed”
In an intelligence report, the UK Ministry of Defence stated that “this represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times”.
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“Over the next few hours, the loyalty of Russia’s security forces, particularly the Russian National Guard, will be critical to how the crisis unfolds,” it wrote in a tweet.
According to the Institute for the Study of War in the United States, the armed insurrection is “unlikely to succeed”.
“An armed Wagner attack against the Russian military leadership in Rostov-on-Don, on the other hand, would have significant consequences for Russia’s war effort in Ukraine,” he says.
