Lukashenko defends Russian defense minister's accomplishments

Aleksandr Lukashenko shared details of his negotiations with Yevgeny Prigozhin: “He said: ‘We will advance to Moscow. We need justice. We've been fighting. We've been fighting honestly. You know how we fought, Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko]'. I said I know it.”

It was noted that competition between the regular army and the private military company had started back in the day. As a result, a conflict between prominent individuals evolved into this public brawl.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I'd like to make one remark why I instructed my mass media, the press secretary to never ever make a hero out of me, out of Putin and Prigozhin. Because we had failed to anticipate this situation. We had let it get away from us. And then when it started spiraling out of control, we looked at it and thought that it will go away on its own. Both Putin and I did. But I did to a lesser degree, frankly speaking. But nevertheless, the situation didn't go away. And virtually two people, who have been fighting on the frontlines, clashed with each other. Then again I know these things. I was constantly immersed in this cauldron. I know Shoigu's work. He sometimes gets unjustified criticism.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that Sergei Shoigu has been to Belarus many times and the Belarusian head of state had negotiated with him. “Certainly, I cannot reveal what we've talked about to mass media. We had very serious negotiations. General [Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor] Khrenin has met with him more than once. We calmly supported him with what we could (and we could do a lot) and we have accomplished a lot. And Shoigu has done a lot in this regard. I mean he found his place where he can do something,” the president said.