WASHINGTON: Ex-US President Donald Trump has criticized US President Joe Biden after the Wagner Group revolt in Russia, claiming the crisis will benefit Beijing.
In a post on his Truth Social network on Saturday, the former President claimed, without giving evidence, that ‘President Biden will do regarding Moscow whatever Chinese leader Xi wants him to do.’
Trump Claims Biden Takes Orders from President Xi on Russia Crisis
Daily Mail reported that Trump also claimed, that President Biden and his son Hunter ‘illegally took money from both countries”. However, he did not provide any evidence for his claim. Trump said that rebellion in Moscow would give an opportunity to China.
Meanwhile, mutinous Russian mercenary group Wagner agreed to turn back to avoid bloodshed, the group leader said on Saturday, in a de-escalation of what had become a main challenge to President Putin’s grip on power. The troops of the Wagner private army run by ex-Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin were already most of the way to Moscow, having taken the city of Rostov and set off on an 1,100 km race to Moscow.
In an audio message, Yevgeny Prigozhin asked his fighters to return to base due to the risk of blood being spilled. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s office said that an agreement to stop the further movement of Wagner men across Russia in return for guarantees of safety for the rebels was brokered by Alexander Lukashenko.
Beijing has not yet issued any statement regarding the crisis in Russia, and Chinese media outlets have mostly offered thin coverage, quoting official Kremlin statements.
Meanwhile, the United States (US) on Saturday announced that it would maintain close coordination with its Group of Seven (G7) allies in response to the unfolding crisis in Russia.
State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized that the US support for Ukraine will not waver.
In a statement, Miller stated, “The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop.” He further reiterated the US commitment to supporting Ukraine, indicating that their stance remains unchanged.
