President Biden addressed reporters' questions on Thursday, offering a humorous take on Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's whereabouts and commenting on the potential for drastic actions from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden jokingly advised Prigozhin to "be careful what [he] eats" and "keep [his] eye on [his] menu."
These remarks followed inquiries about whether the disarray within the Russian military might lead Putin to escalate the situation, possibly through nuclear weapons or further interference in U.S. elections. Biden downplayed the likelihood of Putin resorting to nuclear weapons, stating there's no "real prospect" of such an event, and emphasizing global opposition to this course of action.
President Biden addressed the press in Helsinki, Finland. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
The president acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Prigozhin's future in Russia, admitting that "none of us know for certain" what his fate holds.
Prigozhin's exile in Belarus followed his attempted mutiny against Russian military leaders. Both he and General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander in Ukraine, have vanished from public view, sparking rumors of a purge within the Russian military ranks. The Pentagon, however, has reported no intelligence suggesting strategic instability.
From left: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images | Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images | Contributor/Getty Images)
Adding to the turmoil, Russian Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov was reportedly dismissed for criticizing the military's top brass. Popov voiced concerns about soldier deaths from Ukrainian artillery, citing inadequate counter-artillery systems and reconnaissance. This dismissal prompted questions about Putin's potential response to the perceived instability.
President Biden and Finland President Sauli Niinisto at a joint press conference in Helsinki. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Biden's comments reflect the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the situation in Russia following Prigozhin's aborted mutiny and the subsequent reshuffling within the military.
