The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation directly reacted to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s statements regarding the agenda of Russia’s chairmanship of the UN Security Council, which was the first official response of a Russian state institution to criticism of the founder of PMC Wagner. Thus, the Kremlin continues to undermine Prigozhin’s reputation, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War.
Source: ISW
Details: It is noted that on April 7 Prigozhin criticized work of the Foreign Ministry in Africa. He said the Russian Foreign Ministry is doing “absolutely nothing” and that Wagner forces are facing “tremendous difficulties” in interacting with the ministry and other government agencies in the region.
As noted at the institute, on April 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to criticism of Prigogine. The ministry said that they are ready to cooperate with Russian companies and entrepreneurs to promote Russian business abroad, and that a number of upcoming events during Russia’s chairmanship of the UN Security Council will be devoted to African issues.
After the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prigozhin published a list of 15 issues that, in his opinion, require urgent discussion in the UN Security Council, most of which relate to support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Africa.
“The Russian Foreign Ministry’s attack on Prigozhin is a continuation of the Kremlin’s efforts to discredit and undermine Prigozhin’s reputation. The Russian Foreign Ministry, other Russian government agencies, and Kremlin affiliates are likely seeking to thwart any attempt by Prigozhin to garner public or political support.
Prigozhin was likely criticizing the agenda of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the UN Security Council, trying to portray himself as a capable statesman, capable of influencing foreign policy, and enlisting the support of the Russian ultra-nationalist community,” the ISW report says.
The institute added that “Prigozhin continues to exalt himself, exaggerating the role of the Wagnerites in the Russian war against Ukraine and using his popularity in the Russian nationalist information space to criticize the Russian government.”
