The Uncertain Future of Putin's Power

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the end of a mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group paramilitary, claiming that any attempt to create “internal unrest” is doomed to failure. The mutiny exposed the vulnerabilities in Putin’s system, and revealed a breakdown in some of the dealing and bargaining that make this kind of autocratic system work. The fallout from Prigozhin’s adventure is still uncertain, but it is likely that Putin endorsed the deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexandr Lukashenko, whereby Prigozhin would avoid prosecution in exchange for going into exile in Belarus.