Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the Ukrainian counteroffensive intended to push back Russian soldiers from Ukraine is “simply failing.”
The comment was made during Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s informal meeting in St. Petersburg to discuss various issues, including the economy, the Ukraine War, and prospects for future integration.
The meeting on Sunday was the first between the two heads of state since Belarus helped end a mercenary insurrection in Russia, which was led by the private militia Wagner Group. Belarus currently hosts Wagner troops on its territory, according to an agreement made by Lukashenko, which convinced Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to call off his march on Moscow and relocate to Belarus.
Ukraine’s Failed Counteroffensive
During the meeting, Lukashenko was quoted as saying, “There is no [Ukrainian] counteroffensive,” Putin interrupted by saying, “It exists, but it has failed.”
Ukraine launched its long-awaited counteroffensive last month but has achieved only minor advances against well-entrenched Russian soldiers who retain more than a sixth of its territory after over 17 months of fighting.
"There is a Ukrainian offensive, but it failed" - Vladimir Putin at an informal meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenkohttps://t.co/chuIHluhuk
— The Communists (@CPGBML) July 23, 2023
The loss of personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the last six weeks of the counteroffensive alone exceeds… pic.twitter.com/neMJQtDIsS
On Deployment of Polish Forces Near Border
Poland is sending more troops to its border with Belarus in response to the arrival of the Wagner forces, who relocated there after initiating a short-lived mutiny in Russia last month.
On Sunday, Lukashenko brought a map to the meeting with Putin, depicting the deployment of Polish forces to the NATO member state’s boundaries one brigade at a time, not far from Brest and Grodno in Belarus. Additionally, he accused Poland of attempting to “rip off a western chunk” of Ukraine.
“The Poles have opened a repair centre for Leopards in the country: an airfield has been activated in Rzeszow, where the Americans and the rest deploy their vehicles and then they are deployed to the area,” the Belarusian leader claimed.
According to Lukashenko, transferring Ukrainian territory to Poland is “payment” for Poland’s assistance in Ukraine’s defence. “The Americans support this,” he asserted.
The Belarusian president added that there has been much discussion about the accession of Ukraine to NATO, and he openly declared that Poland is trying to annex western Ukraine.
Last week, the Belarusian Defence Ministry said that Wagner troops had started training Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few kilometres away from the Polish border.
In response, Putin threatened Poland, saying that any aggression against Belarus would be deemed an attack on Russia. He stated that Moscow will use all means to tackle any hostilities directed towards Minsk.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 23, 2023
Lukashenko tells Putin:
"The Wagner soldiers have started harassing us, they say they want to go to the West, on a trip to Warsaw”
🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/htUCngj2Qc
Wagner Itching to go on “Excursion” in Poland
According to Lukashenko, Wagner forces, which are currently stationed in Belarus, have told him, “We’ll go on an excursion to Warsaw, to Rzeszow,” referring to a Polish city less than 100 kms from the Ukrainian border.
“But of course, I am keeping them in central Belarus, like we agreed,” Lukashenko reassured Putin. “We are controlling what is happening [with Wagner],” Lukashenko added, thanking Putin for guaranteeing to defend Belarus if it was invaded.
Putin stated that the two leaders will also meet on Monday to discuss security and other topics “in great detail and in depth.”