Putin Meets Prigozhin After Mutiny: Loyalty Reaffirmed

Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's commanders, from his Wagner Group military contractor, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged loyalty to the government, just five days after staging a short-lived rebellion. The meeting, which took place on June 29, involved discussions about Wagner's actions in Ukraine and the commanders' loyalty to Putin. The confirmation of the meeting highlights the complex power dynamics between Putin and Prigozhin, with negotiations taking place behind closed doors. Prigozhin's fate remains uncertain, but the dropping of rebellion charges suggests a negotiation between the two as allies. The meeting comes as Russia's Defense Ministry released a video featuring military chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who was targeted in Prigozhin's rebellion, signaling an attempt by the Kremlin to show control after a turbulent period.