US and Allies Exercise Caution During Russia Crisis Consultations

The US and its allies consulted each other but remained cautious as the armed revolt by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his private Wagner army unfolded in Russia. While US officials avoided direct comment on the "internal" situation in Russia, Moscow warned them to stay out of the fray. The rebellion poses a potential threat to Russia's nuclear armory, particularly tactical nuclear weapons. Ukraine sees the rebellion as a window of opportunity for its armed forces, but analysts warn against seeing Prigozhin as a hero or counting on the Russian elite turning away from Putin.