Biden: Outcome of Wagner Mutiny 'Remains to be Seen'

Addressing reporters Monday, President Joe Biden emphasized that NATO played no part in the short-lived mutiny by Wagner mercenaries in Russia that took place this past weekend.

Key Quotes: “We had to make sure we gave Putin no excuse ― let me emphasize, we gave Putin no excuse ― to blame this on the West, to blame this on NATO,” Biden told reporters. “We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system.” Regarding the outcome of Wagner’s halted march on Moscow, Biden stated, “It’s still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen.” Biden also told reporters he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the incident, stating, “I told him that no matter what happened in Russia, we the United States will continue to support Ukraine's defense and its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.”

For Context: Wagner, a Russian private mercenary organization, has fought alongside Russia throughout the Ukraine war. On Friday, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed Russian missiles had killed Wagner troops, and stated on Telegram that the “evil brought by the military leadership of the country must be stopped.” Wagner forces were within 200 km of Moscow before a deal was struck that stopped the mutiny.

How The Media Covered It: Biden’s comments were reported at face value across the spectrum.