The Wagner paramilitary group engaging in a brief mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin shows that a change of leadership is on the way, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates, Greens/EFA) said after a crisis staff meeting Sunday.
On Friday, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a coup attempt against the current Russian leadership but later withdrew his men from the march on Moscow. Lipavský convened a crisis staff meeting in response to the chaotic situation.
“We can probably conclude that the struggle for Putin’s succession has approached or even begun,” said Lipavský.
“There is no democracy in Russia. The leadership is likely to change by force; we cannot expect much peace,” he stated, warning that the security environment can deteriorate anytime.
Czech Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry and Czech Presidential office representatives joined the crisis staff meeting.
According to the Czech diplomacy chief, Russia will continue to threaten European and Czech security, which should be reflected in the EU and Czech strategic materials.
On Monday, the situation in Russia will be discussed during Foreign Council in Luxembourg.
Other Czech politicians have a similar view of events in Russia. According to Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN), who spoke about the situation on Czech Television on Sunday, the Russian regime is a “bear on clay feet”, and various groups are struggling for power around Putin.
“All sorts of groups are forming around Putin, vying for power. It is a clan battle. It is always all the more fierce when one big leader is weaker,” Lipavský added.
(Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
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