Good morning. We’re covering an angry speech by Vladimir Putin and the latest from Donald Trump’s prosecution. |
 | | President Vladimir Putin praised Russia’s “civil solidarity” in his televised address.Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov, via Kremlin |
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Putin addresses the rebellion in Russia |
Speaking publicly for the first time in two days, a visibly angry Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, denounced as “blackmail” a weekend rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group even as he defended his response and hinted at leniency for those who took part. |
Throughout the day, the Kremlin had sought to project an air of normalcy, unity and stability, despite Putin’s absence from public view after perhaps the most serious crisis of his two-decade rule. When he finally emerged, the Russian leader skirted a host of unanswered questions left by the revolt. |
Putin did, however, indirectly address a question many had been asked since the mutiny began: Why was it not crushed, swiftly and mercilessly, by Russia’s much larger military? “On my direct instructions, steps were taken to avoid a lot of bloodshed,” he said. “This took time, including to give those who made a mistake a chance to change their minds.” |
Response: Prigozhin, until recently a vital Putin ally, said in an 11-minute voice memo that his mutiny was not an attempt to seize power, but rather a protest of the Russian military’s plan to absorb his forces. He renewed his sharp criticism of Russia’s military leaders. |
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