Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.
Photo: REUTERS
– Hello, I am glad to welcome you all after a short break – with these words began his communication with representatives of the media on Friday, August 25, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Most of the questions, as expected, concerned the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Peskov responded to almost everything.
– Dmitry Sergeevich, could you clarify whether President Putin recently met with Yevgeny Prigozhin in the Kremlin?
– They met, you mean?
– Yeah.
– No.
– And the second question. How to comment on the numerous statements by representatives of Western countries that Prigozhin was assassinated on the instructions of the Kremlin?
– Attractive. Now, naturally, there is a lot of speculation about this plane crash and about the tragic death of the plane’s passengers, including Yevgeny Prigozhin. Of course, in the West all such speculations are served from a certain angle. All of this is an absolute lie. And here, of course, it is necessary, when approaching this issue, to rely on facts. The facts are still few, because they still have to be clarified in the course of the investigative actions that are currently being carried out. Yesterday (Thursday, August 24-AG), speaking on this topic, the president said that he was waiting for the results of the investigation, which would be concluded in the foreseeable future, and we would know the details.
– Did the Kremlin receive any official confirmation that Yevgeny Prigozhin died, in addition to the statement of the Federal Air Transport Agency that he was on the list of those on board, perhaps the body was identified?
– If yesterday you listened carefully to the statement of the President of Russia, he said that now all the necessary examinations will be carried out, including genetic ones. Some official results… As soon as they are ready, they will be published.
– On August 16, Wagner was registered in Belarus as an educational service center. I would like to clarify… What will happen now with Wagner? Will the state funding that Putin previously announced continue?
– What kind of (government financing) did Putin say?
– Vladimir Putin claimed that the Wagner group existed thanks to the support (funds) of the state.
– This has nothing to do with being in Belarus, this is a completely different topic order. Here I cannot answer this question. You can of course also contact the Belarusian authorities, but I have no information for you right now.
– Is it possible to say what will be the future fate of PMC “Wagner”? Will they join the regular army or will they continue to exist as an independent private military company? Rather, a state-funded private military company?
– Let’s not forget that there is no such structure, it does not exist de jure – Wagner PMC. In fact, there is a Wagner group, and the president has repeatedly talked about it, which has made a great contribution to the course of a special military operation. Yesterday Pushilin also stated that he had made a great contribution to the liberation of many regions of the Donetsk People’s Republic. And the heroism of these people will never be forgotten – this is what the President spoke about. As for the future, I can’t tell you anything now, I don’t know.
