MINSK. Aug 17 (Interfax) - Rumors that Russian President Vladimir Putin was weakened in the aftermath of the June events involving the Wagner Group are unfounded, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said.
"With regards to 'Putin not being the same anymore'. Putin is not the same, absolutely. We are seeing Putin to the power of two now. Recent times have been very instructive for everyone, including Putin. He is no longer the same man, he is now a wiser and wilier man, just so you know," Lukashenko said in an interview with Ukrainian journalist Diana Panchenko.
"And if someone thinks that Putin was weakened by Prigozhin's mutiny, this is total nonsense. Putin is simply more energetic, wilier and wiser [now]. Our enemies should know that," he said.