Budanov: Lukashenko convinced Prigozhin to stop the assault on Moscow. Otherwise, Russia would be torn apart and have had two governments, Prigozhin in Moscow and Putin elsewhere
Budanov spoke about this during the graduation ceremony at the Kyiv School of Economics 1/
Budanov: We knew about this military coup six months in advance. Unfortunately, we don't see similar movements [potential coups] now 2/
When it comes to actions by ethnic groups [the hypothesis that radical groups can rise against Moscow], a local leader is essential. 3/
If there is a strong leader working with us [Ukraine], they gain the capability to act. Nothing ever happens spontaneously; the Wagner group's rebellion was meticulously planned. 4/
Prigozhin is a complex figure, a Russian ultrapatriot. He was caught up in his patriotism. He aimed to take the Kremlin, genuinely thinking he was saving Russia. 5/
But he was told [by Lukashenko]: you won't save Russia immediately, you'll tear it apart. Even if you control the Kremlin, the nominal government could be elsewhere, and you can't piece it [Russia] back together. 6/
He listened to Lukashenko, who convinced him to stop. It's true, no one else [except Lukashneko] could persuade him, and it was done using patriotic arguments. 7X
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