Putin Has Been Weakened By Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner But The West ‘Does Not Want’ Civil War In A Nuclear Power – Sir Mark Lyall

The West does not want a civil war in nuclear-armed Russia, said a former British ambassador to the UN.

Sir Mark Lyall said that a “breakdown of a law and order” in the country could have “damaging consequences”.

The issue would have been one discussed yesterday by Western leaders who were “clearly concerned” about the possibility.

“What the West doesn’t want is complete chaos and a breakdown of law and order or civil war in Russia because that has all sorts of potential, damaging consequences given the country is still the largest nuclear weapons holder in the world,” said Sir Mark.

He said it was “striking” that Vladimir Putin did not intervene at “a much earlier stage” in Yevgeny Prigozhin’s increasingly rebellious actions.

The deal eventually struck by the pair to end the mutiny “is extraordinary” given Wagner shot down army helicopters and Moscow dug up roads to prevent their advance as if an attack was imminent, said the former ambassador.

Sir Mark said: “But it’s also the reason why I think this saga isn’t finally over because I find it very hard to believe that Prigozhin will have a quiet, peaceful retirement in Belarus.”

He added: “One thing is clear: Putin has been further weakened by the infighting.”

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